Poetry Books

American playwrights aren't good at creating a career of playwriting. Why, I can't say. They write dynamically for a given period and then off they go into putting the holy bible on stage or some such epic. They become mystics, like Allen Ginsberg. Shepard wrote plays for a while and then, I think, Hollywood put the zap on him and he was gone. His occasional pieces today are weak imitations of his former self. Money and fame may be responsible. Who knows? Here gathered in a single anthology are the key works, on which his life's reputation rests. "True West" sets the stage: we have real dramatic conflict, exciting dialog (of the sort last heard in Albee's "Zoo Story"), and high theatricality. The rest of the anthology is well worth reading, but for my money Shepard wrote a fine short play but his long and longer pieces are less interesting. Shepard has said in interviews that he sees plays as an outlet for ideas. The problem as I see it is that he has none.

I like to call this collection Best of Shepard Vol. 1. This collection belongs in any actors collection. Sam Shepard is a true, unique American voice. His eccentric characters, sparse writing and classic plays. I've seen "Buried Child" on-Broadway and scenes from "Buried Child", "Curse of the Starving Class", "Savage Love" and "True West" in countless acting classes. One of America's greatest writers.

This collection of plays is extraordinary. Shepard threads tales of cartoonlike characters bound by the direst of circumstances excellently.

The basic text of the most exciting playwright of recent decades. The place to start when discovering the American drama as reader, actor, or teacher!

11th grade English Essay
Phillips Academy, Andover

"True West"

The play is about the struggle between modern society and more traditional ways of life. Lee and Austin represent two disconnected brothers with drastically different upbringings who have come to accept different norms. Against the growth of the city and the suburb, their spirit of the Wild West, though diminished, still exists. They steal and fight just like cowboys and highway robbers. Yet, both Lee and Austin are scared and frustrated. Lee doesn't know if he should try to blend into the new ways, and Austin doesn't know if he should go back to the old ways. And this play about two writers writing about the West is in itself a Western story. It has all the excitement and violence of a rider's life.

Who else would steal a dozen toasters and TVs? Austin and Lee were lawless and wild, daring enough to do anything. Austin's car is like a horse, and driving out is like going for a raid. "Lee enters abruptly into kitchen carrying a stolen TV set." The sentence has such an air of ease as if Lee entered with a Shopping bag. Stealing is no more than a normal part of Lee's life. He lives off of it, like those high-way riders who plunder by-passers in the old days. The wholesale raid of the toasters shows the wilder side of Austin." It was toasters you challenged me to. Only toasters. I ignored other temptation." He says to Lee after the thievery. These words make Austin sound like a warrior who has just beaten his rival in some major battle. The only irony is that the major battle was about stealing a dozen toasters. Austin is bragging about his lawlessness, and that is a very cowboy thing to do. Not only are these brothers such "professional" thief, they also are more than violent. From Lee "ax-chops(ing) at the typewriter using a nine-iron" to Austin trying to choke his brother with a telephone cord while their mom is standing on the side. It is hard to get worse than that. It is like a misplaced scene from a Old Western movie. Not only do these pair of thief like to kill each other, they also have that independence and individualism that Western heroic images render so forcefully. On top of living on the desert by himself, Lee also says "I don't sleep." , and does not seem to eat breakfast. "Do you Eat Breakfast?" "Look, don't worry about me pal. I can take care of myself." When Austin asks him if he needs any help with money, "Lee suddenly lungs at Austin, grabs him violently by the shirt and shakes him with tremendous power." Lee wants money, but he is going to get it by himself, not through his little brother. Lawless, violent, and independent, Lee and Austin are depicted in the play as the "True Western Heroes" borne at a wrong time. This, however, is only the first layer of the play. It makes the story entertaining, but not meaningful.

"Yappin' their fool heads off. They don't yap like that on the desert. They howl. These are city coyotes here." The deeper meaning of the play is about the difference between the city "coyotes" and the country "coyotes". The country "coyote", Lee, is older, lives on a desert, use to catch snakes, and uneducated. The city "coyote", Austin, is younger, writes screen plays, does not remember having ever caught snakes, and has an Ivy League education. The brothers grew up together, but went onto totally different paths of life. But they don't merely represent two disgruntled brothers, but the struggle between the different ways of life. In Austin's eyes, the place where they used to live is "built up", but in Lee's eyes, the place has been "wiped out". But the struggle is not that simple. At the same time of feeling deep nostalgia, and refusing to adapt to the new way with help from his brother, because "it is too cold up there." , Lee also says the new houses that he saw were "like a paradise" with "Blonde people movin' in and outa' the rooms." Lee is deeply rooted in the old way of life and very unprepared socially and mentally for anything other than roaming around and stealing things. He likes comfort like anyone else, but the life of those living in those houses is like "paradise". They are far and aloft, and are not in his reach. Lee wants to write something to change his life, and Austin tells him that he can really turn things around and buy a ranch. Lee's excitement was obvious, " (laughs) A ranch? I could get a ranch?" We can see that it is very clear that even when Lee tries to change, he is only trying to change back to the old ways. Austin at the end of the play suddenly made a deal with Lee asking his brother to bring him to the desert. This shows the conflict at the other end of spectrum. Austin has more money, and has a seemingly good life. But is he really happy? Is his frustration with life any less than Lee's? No. The society that he has so well adapted to is of little comfort to him. He tries for years to get a screenplay to production, but at the whim of an executive, the deal goes to his brother. Austin is frustrated, and though he types betters, suffers as much. Lee asks Austin "maybe we're too intelligent..... One of us has even got a Ivy League Diploma. Now that means somethin' don't it?" But no, it doesn't mean as much as it seems.

The truth is, the old West as it was disappeared long ago. It is no longer filled with rugged mountains, uncharted rivers, cowboy hats, and one does not have the freedom to roam around for thousands of miles with only wild animals as his companion anymore. The untamed natural world went away a hundred years ago with the railroads, and has been changing even more ever since. It is sad to see the past go by for those who grew up as a part of it. Faced with new situations, some of these people try to adapt, some have no chance to adapt, and some don't even want to adapt. And for those who have adapted, they wonder if the decision to change in the first place was valid after all. They wonder if they should go back. That poor Lee had no chance to adapt. He was left out by progresses, and envies dearly the seemingly much more comfortable life that others have. Austin at the same time is in the mainstream of modern life, but he is just as troubled and depressed by commercialism. However, within all these confusions and fightings, all these differences and changes, there is something that has always stayed the same, and that is the true spirit of the West, the "True West". The motivation for people to go to the West in the first place is also the motivation that made the world more modernized. The struggles that the first settlers of the West faced were no different from the struggles that people now face as they move into new ways of life. That spirit is not limited to time nor place, it is about the fundamental human eagerness for new and for more, and at the same time, the unquenchable ties to the past.

...even if you're not a middle-aged Jewish hip, sexy mom who works in entertainment and knows the author and also has a big, crazy 'meshpucha!' Go ahead. Read. Enjoy. Eat.

prjayne

This is a good book to pick up and enjoy.

This was such a fun review of insider, contemporary politics - even though we all know there are trials and tribulations in the political arena, Iris offers such a refreshing insider review of what it takes to be a true "Schlepper". My entire family has read this book and loved it. My new motto is "Have you read my resume?" I plan to use it in a meetng or two in months to come.
She meets the challenges with the chutzpah I only wish I had! Thanks for the enjoyable read. BTW, read this while on a cruise to Alaska and shared your tales with many folks we met. Wish you could have been there.

Schlepper is a smart, sassy look behind the scenes of presidential politics. I always wondered what went on in those smoke filled rooms. Now I know.

Prepare for the campaign season -- read Schlepper.

This is a book about the people in Presidential camapigns and what they go through. What Iris Burnett doesn't know about campaign politics isn't worth knowing. And, yet, she sees the humanity of it all. And still she loves it for what can be accomplished to help ordinary people. She made me laugh out of sheer recognition of the truth. Buy this book today. You will be hooked by the end of page two.

Everyone should read ee cummings, even non-poetry lovers will love cummings whimsy and clever wordplay. He has also written the most beautiful, most romantic poetry of anyone in the English language.

It really is a great collection of e.e. cummings - certainly everything I wanted.

But what's to review - it's e.e. cummings, it's great

Now I must get back to my toboganning into know

Enjoy.

P.S. e.e. cummings was emphatic about his name being in lower case, so I do have to criticize the Editors of this book for putting his name in caps

One of the great poets of the 20th century gets a nice treatment here. A few of my favorites were not included (disappointed!!), but all in all this is a solid, representative anthology.

This is not a review. It is a complaint about the review I just read critisizing the editors of this fine collection. E.E. Cummings HATED that his publishers put his name in all lower case. He was not emphatic about it. He thought it was gimicky and exploitive of his publishes.
Whoa, when'd this horse get so high. ooop
S.

This review is from a strictly prose guy, as poetry usually goes right over my head. In my efforts to understand poetry, I have discovered that the work of e.e. cummings breaks through the stylistic barriers that make many people shy away from poetry altogether. cummings' use of bizarre spacing, punctuation, and phrasings keeps the reader away from the "sing-song" routine that tends to damage the credibility of many a poem, and cummings uses the art of style to say many things and make many points in just a few words. The most fascinating aspect of cummings' work is letting the small number of words in a poem really sink in until you gain many insights. This book usefully arranges cummings' most noteworthy poems into categories so you can more easily dwell on his major areas of subject matter. cummings did not live the hard life of many noteworthy poets, so a good number of his poems are musings on abstract concepts like life, love, mythology, and mortality. However, his much sharper observations on war, prostitution, politics, and the dark side of urban life can be truly shocking once you delve into their deeper meanings. Contemplating the title of this review, which is also the first line of the poem on page 181 of this book, will help any poetry-fearing reader to dive into cummings' world.

I enjoyed this book so much I bought it as a gift for family members. Wonderful book of poetry and I highly recommend it.

Mr. Rex Alford has written a collection of exquisitely crafted poems. This book of poetry should be a Must read for any poet.
The book is alive with wisdom & reflection. I would highly recommmend this book to anyone who enjoys poetry as an art form.
This is a book of style and poetic craftmanship to be savored by the lucky reader.

I first met the author through his posting of some of these poems on an internet forum. I was so pleased to have the opportunity to have this book, and I was not disappointed. It is full of beautiful love poems, and very meaningful. Mr. Alford writes from the heart, and with great skill.

I am so pleased to own a copy of Mr. Alford's, Songs of Sorrow. As an aspiring poet myself, I can appreciate the musical quality of his style. Intricate impressions take shape and dance when this work is read aloud. Mr. Alford's intimate words are brought to the page and yet, the reader rediscovers the trials of their own lives.

This poet gives sorrow a song and the reader a voice in which to sing.

I am so pleased to own a copy of Mr. Alford's, Songs of Sorrow. As an aspiring poet myself, I can appreciate the musical quality of his style. Intricate impressions take shape and dance when this work is read aloud. Mr. Alford's intimate words are brought to the page and yet, the reader rediscovers the trials of their own lives.

This poet gives sorrow a song and the reader a voice in which to sing.

these unknown authors have found a way to look at the wolrd in a way i have never seen before, and although i will never truely be able to understand their vision i am luck to have been able to see just a small part of it.

these unknown authors have found a way to look at the wolrd in a way i have never seen before, and although i will never truely be able to understand their vision i am luck to have been able to see just a small part of it.

most enlightning book of poetry i've ever read in my life. it speaks of the hardships an up and coming poet goes through. A must read for all poetry fans

From Zachary Dempster's abstract visuals, Alex Gang's subtle humor, James Leon Suffern's and Matthew Moon's vocal wordslinging, Jen Makholm's postmodernist word play, John Kersey's storytelling, Matt Levy's linguistic brillance, and the duel poetic geniuses of Janaka Stucky and Scott Creney, this is one of the best collections of young poets to grace the American stage.

My brain split like a fresh apple the first time I read this book. This book, a grenade; a bird soaring westward over the graves of dead poet laureates, its wings' flapping roar like the sound of communication breaking down. A must for your musty shelf. Get your hands on it. I swear.

Who knew sitting in an office waiting for a friend would be so uplifting?? I was introduced to Story People in just this way...as an office copy. I picked it up and read it cover to cover. Then I went out and recommended it to everybody! I particularly like the dreams, so beautiful, so right.

It's hard to describe what Story People are. The book is a collection of poems that aren't really poems, but more like half-ponderings. Each feels like a tiny glimpse into the head of a stick-figure child. Some are funny. Some sad. Most moving in some way. But to say they're poems would make them sound too serious. They definitely don't take themselves seriously. There's some drawings too, mostly really poorly drawn stick figures that somehow perfectly illustrate the stories. It doesn't feel like an inspirational book, but when I finished I felt really inspired.

We first found Brian Andreas' work in a charming shop in Cambria, California. We gave this book as a gift to our 86 year old mother. She loves it, as we do. Something to sit down with and know that it will warm your heart and bring a smile to your face. Mr. Andreas brings a new perspective to the simple and the complex situations in life. A must buy for the New Year!

Brian Andreas is one of the most uniquely talented people out there, and this book is a great starting point for appreciating his work. Within 5 minutes of picking up this book, you want to call everyone you know and tell them to run to the nearest bookstore for a copy of their own. You can read this book every day and still discover something new every time. No matter what mood you're in, there's a story to match it. Buy this book...and then buy all the rest of Brian's books, too.

A person is confined to his/her individual perception of the world. It's like we all have a welder's mask with only a pinhole through which to view reality. Whenever we can widen our perspective it is, indeed, liberating - it feels good. We can only do this by borrowing another person's peep hole. Brian Andreas' is a kaleidoscope. He generously shares his with us in his short little stories and primative, detailed drawings. "Story People" liberates, invigorates and widens worlds. Smile, laugh, and wonder. Have a peep.

This is a wonderful book filled with poems by well known authors.
Wonderful for children who enjoy poetry. Highly recommend!

The Kennedys have done a superb job in selecting the poems for this read-aloud. The titles run the gamut of sweetly simple (Langston Hughes' "Piggy Back"), to the powerful (Georgia Roberts Durston's "The Wolf").

There is something for everyone here. Readers will find old favorites-"The Purple Cow"-as well as a few not-so-well-known but soon-to-be favorites such as William Jay Smith's lovely and lyrical "Polar Bear."

The book is divided into nine, themed sections: Plays, Families, Just for Fun, Birds, Bugs, and Beasts, Rhymes and Songs, Magic and Wonder, Wind and Weather, Calendars and Clocks, and, finally, Day and Night.

Making their appearance are, among others, Robert Louis Stevenson, Joan Aiken, Jane Yolen, Gwendolyn Books, A. A. Milne, and Wallace Stevens.

Jane Dyer, as always, does a magnificent job with the illustrations. There are full-page pictures and spot art throughout, extending and enriching the text. Readers will want to linger over the realistic, charming watercolors.

Highly recommended.

Reviewed by the Education Oasis Staff

This large, gorgeous picture book contains 123 poems perfectly suited for youthful excursions into the land of poetry. You will find many favorites here as well as bountiful opportunity to make new friends. Emily Dickinson, Rachel Field, David McCord, Jane Yolen, Christina Rossetti, Langston Hughes, Elizabeth Coatsworth, and Robert Frost are just a few of the amazing talents that grace the pages of this book. From the very beginning where a qote from Isak Dinesen's "Out of Africa" explains the title of the book, we are swept up in a cavalcade of imagery, sound and experience that is a true delight and feast for the imagination. Not only is this a wonderful introduction to poetry for children it is a giant step forward toward learning about creative visualization and self-expression. It is a fortunate child who learns to evoke response from others through the mastery and selection of words. There is no better way to teach the art than to provide a child with the opportunity to experience the magic first-hand. The splendid illustrations in this book cheerily invite one to venture closer and then become the magic carpet that sweeps one from place to place within the book. The subject matter covers a broad range of topics, humorous and thoughtful, and can serve as a wonderful catalyst to further discussion about poetry and the use of the imagination. After a long and satisfying relationship with this book, may I suggest that you place a special magical pen and a blank tablet of paper in the hands of your child and discover the wonders it has helped to deliver. This book is truly an ambassador to creative expression.

Last night, my not-quite-three-year-old daughter spontaneously recited a couple dozen poems from this book to my wife and me. We were astounded. She's been requesting that we read TALKING LIKE THE RAIN to her day and night since I bought it last month, but we had no idea how deeply the poems had sunken in. What better endorsement can one give to such a book? We plan to buy several more copies as presents for my daughter's friends . . . and their parents.

X.J. Kennedy is a terrific poet as well as a top-notch editor. I highly recommend his own children's poetry books, particularly his irreverent BRATS, as well as his poetry books for adults, which include the excellent DARK HORSES and CROSS TIES.

This is a beautiful book both visually and in content. The watercolor illustrations are in the realistic style painted in fine detail. My daughter loves to look at the pictures closely as we read the poems aloud.

The poems selected cover a wide range of topics, themes, and moods. There are funny poems like limericks, serious poems about the seasons, poems about how children sometimes feel (such as the one about the boy who didn't do anything right yesterday, so he's not getting out of bed today) bedtime poems, and poems about child play.

This book was a gift and I love it so much I've since given it to other parents and children to enjoy. Everyone has been enthusiastic about it. When my daughter selects this book (which is often) it's fun for us to browse through the pages and pick poems based on the illustrations or on our mood. We'll say, let's read about sleepytime poems, or let's read funny poems. She never tires of this book. There are hundreds of poems to choose from, but the scope is not overwhelming either.

I give this book my highest recommendation. Every home should have some poetry on the shelf!

My children all love this book and CD set. It is a tremendous source of poetic inspiration for them. The songs/poems are enjoyable for adults, too.

This is the best poetry book I have ever read. He came and performed at my school when I was in 6th grade (I am now in 9th) and he got me excited about performing. I now want to make movies and his book gives me hope that if you want to do something, you can. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a little hope, who has dreams, and anyone who just plain likes fun. Oh, and don't forget to check out The Tomato Collection: The Big Album CD. They turned every song in the book into a poem and it's really cool, I'm listening to it right now! Anyway's I suggest buying this book for anyone of any age. It can teach a lesson to all.

This book is full of really cute poems and thoughts that Mr. Kammeraad has and has put together into a funny little book. The book has poems that are fun to read and that the whole family likes to read. One of the poems is about a couch that eats people. This is a really neat book and everyone should get a chance to read it

The book says for ages 4 - 8, but we loved it just as much as our daughter!! It's loads of fun and reminded of us of our youth. Our daughter loved the artwork. We have read it over and over and keep finding new stuff each time we read it. Kevin obviously has a bright future ahead of him.

The Tomato Collection is a surefire winner for storytime with your kids. Honestly, I don't know who enjoys the book more - me or my son! The stories and poems capture the true spirit of kids, from the silly to the serious, in their own language. The original illustrations and photos add a whimsical dimension to the already creative writings. Everytime we read it, we find something new.

We liked the book so much that we recently added "the Big album" CD to our collection. The just-released recording puts The Tomato Collection to music in a collection of over 50 songs. My son and I love to dance and sing along with the characters from the book. Plain and simple - this is great fun for kids of all ages.

Hearty and wholesome.A delightful meal for Mind Body and Soul.An inspiration to us all.I simply could not put this book down.The wonderful lyrics and exciting prose in this book entice the reader to sing and dance to the rythm of love and laughter, while savoring the splendor of authentic foods.A great work of Art.A family's vision of God's wonderful Creation.[[ASIN:0553375423 Everyday Miracles: The Inner Art of Manifestation.)

If you're looking for poetry and prose that will bring back childhood memories and give you that warm feeling of family, this is the book for you. I have seen the Trilogy team performance many times and leave with with a smile on my face and warm sensation in my heart. I can't wait for the next book!

"A Trilogy of Poetry, Prose, and Thoughts" by Joseph, Sheila and Jonathan is a delightful work. It is filled with lots of imagery and figurative language. It is a delight to visualize and taste Joseph Spence's Jamaican foods, and taste Sheila's southern cuisine. The young Jonathan Spence is a rising literary star; his poetry and prose are excellently written. The Trilogy Team gives a vivid picture of their lives. It is a masterpiece of 21st Century poetry ; it awakens the five senses. Inspirational!
They have made a significant contribution to the poetic genre.

this is great for family, both for the young and the old.lot of good laugh for the soul and fun to read.
a great job from the trio.
the book has a lot of sunshine from the islands,that i am famaliar with.
this is a must read!

This was a great book for reading. It was truly food for the soul. I will recommened this book for everyone. The poems are truly inspirational and uplifting.

This book is quite unusual. Its words come out at you with such meaning and intensity that as a reader you are simply in awe. The last few lines of each poem are captivating. There is a story within each verse. This is indeed a poetic novel and I am enchanted.

I read Dorfman's book and am pleasantly surprised with her poetry narrative, her delightful flow as well as her perspectives.

Great work and we await your next book anxiously!

I enjoyed reading,"Unmasking The Passion." I found it to be so different from other books. It has such reading appeal to it. It seems to dance in your hand well after you have read its pages. Its hard to explain. But, Dorfman has definitely made an impression on me and I await more of her work. The poem "Rapture," was intriguing.

I read this book with a preconceived notion of "I don't like poetry so why should I read this one". I must now eat my words, for this book has changed my opinion forever. These poems are thought provoking, erotic, sad, clever, insightful and truth itself. I have never had anything touch my soul and make me remember all the joy and pain of a relationship. The good and the bad, from the first meeting through the relationship, to the end. Each poem kept me hooked until the end and then I wanted more. I hope this is just the beginning of such enlightenment. I can only hope that Ms. Dorfman has much more to share. A new devoted fan.

I urge those who have been in relationships that have not worked out to read this book. The poetry seems to offer objective reasoning and allow one to come to grips with their own perplexities. Its nice to read this book for my ego seems to be in much better shape. I feel invigorated and able to face my next relationship with a clearer understanding of who I am and what it is that I want.