Poetry Books

This was an fascinating read. The only thing that would make it better is if there were a few more photos of the author. : )

I agree with the previous reviewer. I wish there was more "real" poetry on the market like this. I loved the imagery in the poems, they really speak to you. The romantic poems made my heart beat a little faster. Eric, are you single?

Who is this guy and why haven't I heard his name in publishing circles? I actually borrowed Continuum from a friend and the writing literally blew me away. I'm online tonight buying a copy for myself. The poems are honest and speak from the heart.

I picked up this book on a whim because, frankly, I was attracted to its cover. What a pleasant surprise it was that the writing was so good. This young man doesn't always seem to follow the "rules" of iambic pentameter but the imagery and substance of the poems more than makes up for this. He seems an old soul.

This author is very gifted. I absolutely enjoyed reading Continnum, it really speaks to the soul. He's not bad to look at either! I highly suggest the book to any poetry lover.

This poetry book is much more than a poetry book, it's a life story of love, pain and joy - and most importantly food and wine. I am a bit biased as the author is my mother, but that in way diminishes her talent, which if you were to read this book would be abundantly clear. Plus some of the poems are about me :-)

I am sure you will enjoy!

beautiful, delicious, catapults reader into the moment; sight, smell, taste, emotion!
contemporary poetry lives on!

Nina's delicious poems are colorful, make you hungry and eager to travel to foreign places. I have read and reread this book.

Take a European trip and learn how to cook without ever leaving your armchair! This collection is a delightful assault on the senses that will leave you hungry for more. Lyrical and vivid prose, wonderful sense of place, a real treat all around.

The only thing better than reading Romano's Cooking Lessons is rereading it!

What a wonderful book. Patti Smith's poetry is full with an intense personal feeling. I can only echo the comments of previous reviewers; this book shines a bright and pellucid beauty, both in its poetry and in the sublime photographs. Spending an afternoon with The Coral Sea took me into a serene, meditative, dreamy state. It has that quality. Something of it reminded me of Visconti's film, Death in Venice. This is a book I shall always have.

This slim volume is sprinkled with photographs primarily by Robert Mapplethorpe. They are well chosen to grace the poetic prose elegy by Patti Smith. The prose reminds me in a strange way of the writings of H.D. - the story of facing death is told in mythic terms - in terms of the sea, the search for the Hercules moth, the sighting of the Southern Cross as his uncle had promised, of Greek gods. Its strength is in the description of Mapplethrope as artist - fascinated by arranging, estranged from nature. The writing is not without flaws but it is interesting and telling.

Patti Smith his come aways since HORSES. Or maybe not very far at all. Lurking beneath the poet/punk of the famous mapplethorp cover was a woman of profoundly mystical bent. In this, a fable and an elegy , for Robert as she writes in the dedication, Patti smith imagines a man searching for the southern cross, and a man dying. Each of the very short capters are accompanied by a mapplethorpe photograph. Profound, wrenching prose, which caused me to wince in pain and recognition, and ultimately, which delivers a coda to a life. This is amazing stuff, the kind of book that should be passed to loved ones wrapped in a ribbon of silk,, cherished as a gift. It is that good. It moved me like few books have in my life.Nothing in Patti smiths work had prepared me for the overwhelming beauty of this book. A staggering book of wonder.

when i first heard 'horses' by patti smith,i thoght it was the most sublime artwork to inwade my little pretentious arty world;i thought it was better than sex, masturbation,writing or even drinking - my whole life had been transposed. yet, in years that came, patti had found away to transcend even the beauty of the actual physical existence she so celebrated w/ her life, her art, the people she loved;the little girl of vivid dreams growing into a youg poetess,into a visionary artist, a wife, a mother - the seclusion embraced by chosing domesticy only proppeling her to mature as an artist and a person; robbert mapplethorpe had been a dear friend who helped her to find her true calling - art;his gift had been taken from us all too soon by aids. she could not weep so she wrote her sorrow : about passenger m who, terminally ill, sets on his last journey, a pilgrimage to see the southern cross;in his last days he questions his life which had been beautiful and which he adorned w/ his gift of the perfect placement of things; it had not been a perfect life however- he was unable to find a balance beetween his desire for perfection and the actual life itself; thus he was dying alone, his last wish to see his ideal the southern cross: perhaps in his mind he had failed to be what he wished, but his passing away was beautiful and he left behind his art to light the way of those treading after him, us. pattis work tells us about the inner struggle of the artist, she describes robbert as an artist (no matter what else he might have been),inducing us to believe in the power and importance of art in our life; her book is a loving elegie to her friend, her beloved compeer, her unfettered joy. leena spite.

By far the most effective writing in this book is that of the introduction. Patti Smith recalls her first and last meetings with Robert Maplethorpe, whereby she somehow manages -- by drawing upon both the similarities and differences of these two experiences -- to express the anguish and tragedy of his death. If there are any doubts about Smith's poetic ability, this brief, beautiful tribute to her friend should lay them to rest. The following pages contain some of Maplethorpe's most serene work, and Smith's writing is no less inspired. Lacking the pretention of some of her earlier work, these words are lucid, honest, heartfelt, and rewarding.

I never thought someone, would understand me as a lesbian, a woman, and someone who is currently in the closet. But I dont know if Grayian Phoenix ment for it to relate to me or not but the poems "Pillow Soft Whispers of Delight (When You Spoke Volumes in Your Touch), and "tapestries Woven in the HEat of Passion." I don't know what to say, except that I can't this author enough. I hope anyone who gets this book, found it as useful as me.

I really am not crazy about reading poetry, as far as I am concerned I would rather watch the world series. But I noticed my girlfriend had this book called "Counting My Blessings" by Grayian Phoenix. And I picked it up strictly for the freakin awesome design with the skull or death. But I realized soon enough that by reading some of this mushy stuff, you can understand girls and the way they think. Is it as exciting as even the SUPERBBOWL no, but will it help you get kisses and more, when you suprise your women with the wonderful suggestions in the book.

I just finished reading, Counting My Blessings and I must say, what a fantastically written piece of work. I am so disappointed that more people aren't giving this book a chance, I mean come on people, anyone on amazon looking for a fantastic piece of literature should pick it up. I wish this could be a banner across the entire web, saying here comes one of the most eloquent and thoughtful writers of his time. I can't stress enough, when does the world realize if we dont support the great writers in the world, they probably will stp writing. So do this writer a favor, AND PICK UP THIS BOOK. IT IS WELL WORTH THE MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Grayian Phoenix, has broken that fragile line, of where does thhe point come when fiction might be the reality of someone else. I never imagined a writer with such emtinal depth as Phoenix, he seems to draw himself into a world of these so-called "Characters" and give us the perception f where their reality lies. I never felt anyone had the writeing potential to make me side with a daughter who faces tough choices, because now she is a Mother, at some young age (we are never told). Or for that fact a sequence in which detox can be theraputic, in the mind warp it plays on you. If you really want to get to the heart of the novella, try the excerpt about a person who has alsiemers, (sorry their is a reason I need spell check), and instead of ignring the fact, he or she realishes the memries of the loved ones they have left. I recommend this book to any artist, poet, writer, and or photographer, strictly for the fact that even professionals in this business, like myself need help realizing where our art had come from, and where it was once pure. That what this book is pure uninhibited fun, with quite a few sparks of intelligence, mixed with a sarcasm that would make "Bea Arthur" turn around laughing, and nodding along.

I must admit I was not really impressed when I heard this book was poetry. For the simple fact I would rather read a suspenseful novel. But do to some suggestions from a personal friend, I gave it a shot. And let me tell you, I have never felt so connected to a book that explains life, quite the way that Grayian Phoenix does. LEt me make one thing clear, it is not a self help book, it is a book of poetry that truly makes you believe that some can step into your shoes for just one day. It took me several times of reading this book to get every thing that is hidden in the layers of the context. I can't recommend this book enough, and I hope everyone undigs this buried treasure.

This is an outstanding translation. It is faithful to the text but expressed in easily digestible English. Our undergraduates will finally be treated to Dante in palatable form.

An excellent translation for college students. Clear, concise and informative introductions and annotations for each canto. I had great success with the text in my classes.

Employing an easy to read parlance replete with witty annotations and insight into the medieval and modern Italian man, Mr. Salvidio proffers an entertaining yet erudite rendition of this classic. Moreover, it is direct and clear.

I do regret not having this fresh voice when Dante was required reading for it flows flawlessly. This translation should be any Classics professor's first choice for his students.

Arguably the best translation since those completed in 1968 and 1972 by Charles Singleton. What makes this work so remarkable is that it speaks not only to an academic audience but also to the "general reader." Would that this work had been available in my college years. Regardless, my interest in Dante has been revived by Frank Salvidio's accomplishment.

FINALLY! A translation of The Inferno that I not only understand, but REALLY like. It's evident that one of Salvidio's goals was to make Dante's classic work accessible to today's reader. I would also add that the way he did the footnotes is really helpful -- further eveidence that he has a genuine interest in the reader's enjoyment of something he feels passionate about. I plan on reading Salvidio's other translations as well. I'm happy to say that the "classics" are no longer foreign to me, thanks to Frank Salvidio.

I really enjoyed this book of poetry. Since Mr. Autrey was a young writer when he wrote this book I see lots of room for growth. I think he could one day be a real literary power force.

In this book of beautiful and touching poetry, Jimmy Autrey II has given us the work of a poet well beyond his college years. This talented young man, in bringing us 100 poems of life and love, bares his soul, and does it with such emotion, sensitivity and feeling, that you cannot escape being with him all the way. It is a book you will not want to end.

Poetry that amazes, startles and opens us to the pain, joy, and delight of this young poet's own reflections. Jimmy Autrey's thought provoking collection delves beneath the surface of his own life experiences. You will be mesmerized by his sometimes tender and often profound verse.

This wonderful young mountain poet captures an innocence and wisdom that gives voice to emotion while quietly celebrating the joy and pain of young love, family, life, and death. Absolute best young poet I've read! You will enjoy discovering the beauty and emotion of a fresh new voice in this collection of original work by Jimmy C. Autrey, II.

I found this book of poetry by accident and really liked it. I think that it is perfect for anyone that likes poetry that doesn't seem too pretentious.

This has always been my favorite poem and have 3 versions on my walls; however I have never had a hard copy version of this/I gave both that I ordered as gifts for the persons to have at different locations in their home or to take with them to enjoy/the illustrations are lovely and enchance the words beautifully/I would recommend this to everyone to have. Nancy

I do not have words for this book (No pun intended!)

Desiderata - an extremely moving book, is one of it's kind, in the truest sense of the word. It has words in the form of a poem and pictures depicted alongside of the words. Each picture is hardly a scrawl and the accompanying words are extremely simple, and yet together, they tell you so much of life and how to live it.

The utter simplicity of the pictures and the words is truly unparalleled and leaves a lasting impression on you.

Highly, highly, highly recommended.

One of my favorite poems, a comforting and refreshing perspective on life's big picture. It purports to have been discovered in a church in the seventeenth century, but in fact it was written by a man named Max Ehrmann in the first third of this century. I have kept a copy around since elementary school (ever since I learned that Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek, kept one in his office), and now keep one in my office at home and one at work.

I can say my favorite author ever. What a statement while at the same time writing a way of life.... I have his first novel ever published from 1898, signed! He was amazing.

I have a copy of Desiderata, eighth edition, published by Brooke House, Los Angeles, illustrated by Emil Antonucci. I would like to order copies of this edition. Is that possible? Life's lessons have never been so simply and eloquently stated. So many of us need to be reminded!!!

"The Destination of a Guided Soul" is a book written by a remarkable young woman, who is only 18 years of age. In spite of her young age, Shannon Nielson has already experienced many of the ups and downs, the twisting and the bending roads of life, and the reader will notice how she survives them all by her unwavering faith in her God Jehovah.
She invites the reader to come along as she goes through the winter rains of life, yet emerges a wiser person as she takes to heart the lessons learned on the way.
You will rejoice with her as she takes you through words up into the sun kissed clouds, then higher to the constellations, and from there she descends over the rainbows and flows into the powerful waterfalls to the peaceful rivers and meadows into the deep forest where she accepts the healing rain from above.
I highly recommend reading this book as it is quite exhilarating to follow this young person through life. She compares the lessons in life to a musical instrument being learned which gets more beautiful with time as she ends up playing a pleasing melody, while she patiently awaits the time when the broken bruises of our hearts will be erased fully by God's promise of paradise.

It has been nice to meet Shannon through the pages of her book; it's very touching and inspiring to know someone like her who continues to cling to hope in times of distress. I hope she always keeps the fire of life, hope, realness, and wisdom beyond years burning through her pages to warm us.

Beautiful, I loved "The Destination of a Guided Soul". It was very uplifting. How wonderful to have the gift of language to express to God a little of how he makes us feel. I am looking forward to Shannon's sequel to "The Destination of a Guided Soul", as well as her bilingual work, the Spanish Teaching Aid that she is releasing!!

"Savoring Nielson's words, I am both enthused and grounded by her fierce sincerity, kindhearted wisdom and beautiful language. Nielson provides great talent as a poet, the one whose spirit encompasses the vast catalogue of existence as you walk with her through time experiencing the very real emotional highs and lows in life. I deeply value and admire Nielson's unswerving channel to the soul. Through this journey, Nielson's calling is that we all have our own call, our own way to discover life fully in our truest selves in our heart's desire in sheer purity a purity that is against all evil. This calling cannot be found in the expectation of others, but it can only be found deep within our souls."

I knew when I met Shannon Nielson, the author of "The Destination of a Guided Soul", that she was special and unique, but I did not know why until now. I am amazed and touched by her talents, especially knowing she is so young. If I had not met Ms. Nielson face-to-face, I would assume the thoughts she wrote in her book were written by someone in their 30s or older. I hope Shannon never loses the ability to see what most others can not. I am left with the feeling that I would love to see more of her work...

I must agree with the above reviews. I picked up this memoir on a remainder table a year or so ago. I started it but put it down. I suppose I was not in the mood for it. Thankfully, it turned up in a pile somewhere a few days ago and I find myself absolutely engaged. I studied Frank O'Hara in college and always admired his matter-of-fact attitude toward his being gay (or queer as the term was then). JL's book reconfirms that point. O'Hara never was the doomed queen, a persona so common for that time (Tennessee Williams being the reigning royalty of that court). JL, it appears, had the same attitude toward his homosexuality: it simply was his preference. Beyond the queer studies angle, JL brings a wonderfully engaging voice to his memoir. It is, by turns, poetic, conspiratorial, wistful, humorous. So if you want to know more about O'Hara and his circle, read this book

Joe LeSueur's memoir of his friend and companion, is a truly illuminating portrait of the artist. What makes these digressions so rich and rewarding for the reader, is the unique perspective LeSueur is able to bring to this material. These are LeSueur's memories of experiences and events shared with O'Hara and their myriad of friends and acquaintances. I found this book to be compelling, intimate and inspiring (indeed, "Lunch Poems" and "Selected Poems" were never too far out of reach, and both read from cover to cover). By virtue of having been a participant or, at the very least having been an eye witness to the events depicted, LeSueur has captured not just a time and place, but the essence of a cherished friend. I found myself reading slowly, savoring each passage. By the end of the book I felt I had really gotten to know O'Hara and his circle of friends, and found myself in tears as I read the last few pages. LeSueur's memoir is a tribute to Frank O'Hara as both an artist and a beloved friend.

At Frank O'Hara's funeral, composer Virgil Thomsom turned to the poet's longtime friend Joe LeSueur and said, "Baby, I hope you kept a journal." Though clearly not drawing upon stale journal entries, LeSueur's memoir of his relationship with O'Hara (which survived the vicissitudes of its ever-changing status...friends to lovers to friends, etc.) is a nice blend of personal memories and feverish impromptu research (Brad Gooch's biography seems to have been ever at his elbow). LeSueur is neither vindictive nor pointlessly benign. He truly understood and appreciated O'Hara's central position in the explosion of art that was happening in New York in the 50s and 60s. Unlike Ginsberg and the Beat poets, O'Hara was equally at ease among literary folk, musicians, and painters (especially the abstract expressionists). To read about O'Hara is to read about the greatness of post-war New York.

DIGRESSIONS is actually helpful, too. Because O'Hara often adopted a casual, off-hand, personal approach when writing his poems, it is great to have someone who was intimate with the poet to explain "who's who" and "what's what." LeSueur, however, is equally comfortable admitting when he's baffled by an O'Hara reference, and explanations (and reminiscences) are never forced.

One other thing--DIGRESSIONS is an enlightening portrait of gay life in New York prior to the Stonewall riots. O'Hara and LeSueur were both openly gay, though they had quite different approaches to meeting their sexual needs. O'Hara seems to have had fewer partners, usually choosing them from his circle of friends and aquaintances. LeSueur seemed to favor one-night stands and casual sex. Perhaps this difference is one reason their friendship continued long after their sexual intimacy ended. If only LeSueur had lived long enough to write DIGRESSIONS ON GAY LIFE BEFORE STONEWALL.

This is a remarkable book. If you ever loved Frank O'Hara's poetry, the book is really a necessity. It gives personal reminiscences about the writing of some of the famous poems: 'The day Lady died', 'A true account of talking to the Sun...', etc. It brings many of the more obscure and personal poems into remarkable focus. It also illumines many of names and references that appear throughout the poems. All of this from probably the closest witness to O'Hara's life, creative and otherwise. For these reasons, it is a quite an unusual treasure.

But beyond its usefulness to O'Hara's poetry, the book is the story of a friendship. And an account of a special time in American arts and letters - told from one of the members at the party. LeSueur's presence in O'Hara's life might have been partly due to charm and good lucks (which he discusses), but that apparently never stopped him from being important to O'Hara. (The famous 'Lunch Poems' is dedicated to him.) We are fortunate that he was a careful observer and was blessed with a remarkable memory. Apparently he died shortly before the book was published, which is poignant, because the book is also a tribute to LeSueur's life, and a celebration.

Joe LeSueur has provided the cultural history of American arts in the mid-20th Century with this seamlessly interesting and informative inside perspective on the important role of Frank O'Hara - poet, art critic, champion of the visual, musical, and literary arts par excellence. DIGRESSIONS ON SOME POEMS BY FRANK O'HARA is not only a clever and viable means to writing a memoir: it provides insights into the growingly important works of O'Hara who some are now ranking as the 20th century version of Walt Whitman as Poet of the City. While many of the poems introducing each chapter are well known to us, it is the window to the world of O'Hara's life and times that is so well served by Joe LeSueur's writing. Frank O'Hara was bonded with such luminaries as Willem de Kooning, Elaine de Kooning, Larry Rivers, Joan Mitchell, Jackson Pollock, Grace Hartigan, Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns, Lincoln Kirsten, WH Auden, Kenneth Koch - the list is endless. O'Hara was a behind the scenes observor, never hogging the limelight and in fact avoiding it, always with his keen eye on good art, good music, good writing, and always turning out poems that only now are being read seriously by the general public. Joe LeSueur live with O'Hara, joining O'Hara in his flagrantly 'Out' gay life, hobnobbing with all the other gay artists of his time in a way that makes him the recorder of that important preStonewall age, a time when even the giants such as Aaron Copeland, Leonard Bernstein, Samuel Barber, etc were closeted. At times LeSueur borders on the gossipy side, but that only enhances his subject. What we are left with here is a wonderfully composed tribute to a great artist and supporter of the arts. The overall effect of this book is monumental, and at the same time exceedingly conversational. Very Highly Recommended.

Judith takes the reader into a world where few go willingly and fewer still would expect to find love. Her journey in story form reveals a great deal about herself and how the men she taught retained their dignity and self respect by sharing their thoughts of home, life, and love through poetry. I am not a poet and quite frankly find it difficult to understand many peots, but such is not the case with the works Judith brings forth from a handful of men most of us have written off as losers. Judith proves that love is present in everyone's heart, even those in prison.

This book was introduced to me by Judith herself ( I was looking for material for a research paper ) ...Since I am a "starving" student, my mom bought me the book for x-mas, it sat for a few months since I was burnt out on prisons after my major report was done. But two days ago I picked up the book again, and I could no put it down. I have fallen in love with Spoon, Elmo and Judith's words many times over. I am in awe of her writing and her experience. I would hope that someday I could inspire others as she has inspired me. I have written a poem, I will share it with you all in hopes that you will buy this book...

"I feel as though I am reading a novel...

Everyonce in a while I stop and

remind myself the words I have read

are real."

Molly R>

This book takes readers inside a world most of us have never entered: a maximum security prison. But instead of showing the aspects of this world that we're familiar with from movies and TV, we see something different. By telling her own story -- the story of a poet sharing poetry with a particular group of prisoners -- Tannenbaum allows readers to look at our own assumptions about prison, prisoners and what it is to be human.

This is a very important, and very moving, book.

This is an exceptional account, movingly honest and beautifully written. As someone who has also taught in prison, I can attest to the fact that the author has gotten it "right" - the cultural logic by which inmates understand and navigate their world; the ways in which relationships are built and tested; the circulating currency of ideas in prison. And she is one of the very few who have gone inside, empowering inmates to acquire the powerful tools to express their truths. It is a political act of the most genuine, humanistic kind. Bravo!

In "Disguised as a Poem," Judith Tannenbaum narrates her experience teaching poetry for four years in the maximum-security prison, San Quentin. The prisoners she taught are fiercely human, use poetry as a shout: "I am here!" Tannenbaum comes to San Quentin with California 60s-radical ideas of universal brotherhood, and is forced to confront not only the prisoners' ambiguous past, but also the humanity of the police guards she has always associated with authority and oppression.

Needless to say, the experience changed more than a few lives.

Most of the men found themselves in San Quentin for their involvement in violent crime. During "lockup," in their cells, the men must restrain their emotions, their dreams, their expression of humanity for fear of exposing weakness in the violent environment in which they live. Poetry offers the men a chance to reach out beyond the walls of San Quentin. Through Tannenbaum and the other arts' teachers, the men meet Nobel Prize winners, perform "Waiting for Godot" under the auspices of Beckett himself, and publish their poems for children at risk.

Tannenbaum must struggle with the men's past actions while reveling in providing an outlet for the men using an art form she adores. She also finds herself in some moments allying herself with the prison administration, with authority, against the prisoners who are dependant on her for emotional release and artistic expression.

The book shines when relating the poetry of the men, when we witness the blossoming of a caged man on paper. It is then that we connect to these men from our own ambiguous cages-no doubt less confining than iron and steel-and take heart from their actions that we, too, can still soar free.