The article presents a retrospective of Haitian poetry, from its origins (pre-Columbian areytos and popular creole poetry) to the present day. After a brief reminder of the history of the country, which has strongly marked literature and poetry, the main successive movements until the end of the XXth century are described, from the "pioneers" or "pseudo-classics" to the “surplurealism”. Considering the significant impact of exile (linked to the political, economic and social situation) on Haitian arts and poetry in particular, a special place was reserved in the poetry of the late XXth and early XXI^st^ century, to the poetry of the diaspora, as well as that of "wandering" poets, poets who returned after the exile to their native country, and poets "from the inside". The main authors are presented and their main published works indicated and commented, sometimes accompanied by brief extracts.