Thomas R. Smith (born January 16, 1948) is an American poet, essayist, teacher and editor. His work has appeared in numerous anthologies and journals in the U.S. and internationally. His poems have been featured on The Writer's Almanac, a syndicated national public radio program and podcast hosted by Garrison Keillor. His work was also selected for The Best American Poetry 1999, edited by poet Robert Bly, and in former U.S. Poet Laureate Ted Kooser's syndicated newspaper column, American Life in Poetry.