Poetry Books

I find John Donne's poetry distinctly representative of the 17th century. It oscilates from being passionately sexual to passionately spiritual, and every detail seems to have been considered. The poems are augmented by Donne's allusions, but they are still beautiful to read without pondering the deeper meanings.

I prefer the alphabetized format of this collection, since chronology and subject matter are fairly nebulous when it comes to Donne. The endnotes are brief enough for readers looking for something simple, but add enough interest that those with a more scholarly bent will have plenty to play with.

Metaphysical poetry is the poetry of yoking together images from diverse realities into complex new wholes. Donne is the great master. His poetry is a powerful amalgam of intellect and emotion. His meditations on death as love and death in love and love as death and love after death are among the most profound and wrenchingly moving in the language. The High Church great man master giver and writer of sermons was a man known and distinguished in his own time. He gave us many great poems and lines. The bell which tolls for all of us tolls in his lines in a sonorous complex way which brings us closer to the holy sublime. This volume contains an abundance of riches in complexity, and it is one of the great classics of English literature to be read and reread until the bell tolls for mankind as a whole - G-d forbid.

I am greatly enjoying this book. The notes at the end explain some of Donne's more obscure imagery. A potentially controversial choice by the editor was to change the spelling of many words to more modern forms, which makes the poems easier to read at the expense of authenticity. Some people will like that and some people won't. Another odd choice was to list the poems in alphabetical order, instead of grouping them by subject matter or attemp to list them in approxiamte chronolgical order.
Buy this book and enjoy the breathtaking poems. You could do a lot worse with your time.

This book of poetry is quite wonderful. Donne's imagery and words are truly beautiful. His poetry displays wit, beauty and perception. Donne wrote in the sixteenth century, but his ideas and thoughts were actually quite modern. His work is incomparable when it comes to displaying the feelings and emotions of love and of friendship. Donne's poetry is often referred to a metaphysical, but it is also witty and fun. He was an extremely intelligent man, and this is reflected in his work. At times the poems can be difficult to understand, but it is well worth taking the time to do so since they are so beautiful

Finally, I've found a poet I really like reading. Donne's poems suit me more than Shakespeare's sonnets or Poe's verse, and apart from someone like Yvor Winters, I just don't get modern poetry (apologies to Sylvia Plath fans).

What rings well with me is, well, ringing well! Reading a poem out loud with a bit of drama should just sound good. That's why rap and hip hop can really be considered poetry (well, some rap and hiphop anyway).

A great example of this is Shakespeare's sonnet 129 (The expense of spirit in a waste of shame/Is lust in action; and till action, lust...). Most (not all) of Shakespeare's sonnets are harder to understand than this one, which is why they don't resonate with me as well as I'd like. Donne on the other hand is different; most of what he writes in English sounds good and is immediately understandable.

Not that I understand everything in these poems, there are many contemporary allusions that are lost on me, but there's enough in there that sounds very good to allow me to right away enjoy myself. Here are two great lines, which open the sonnet "Community", to illustrate what I mean by good sound.

Good we must love, and must hate ill,
For ill is ill, and good good still...

There are problems, themselves interesting, that bring discord to a poem. For instance in Donne's England "love" rhymed with "prove" but because today these words don't, a couplet with this rhyme is marred to our 21st century ears.

A personal note: I was in bed reading "Soul Made Flesh" about the discovery that the brain is the seat of consciousness, made by Oxford scholars in 17th century England. I had reached an account of how large audiences of curious onlookers gathered to see doctors perform autopsies. I put the book down and decided to dip into Donne before going to sleep. I flipped out when I read The Damp's opening lines:

When I am dead, and doctors know not why,
And my friends' curiosity
Will have me cut up to survey each part...

Talk about serendipity! Now if I had just read an explanation of these lines in the notes, they would not have meant much to me. But because reading "Soul Made Flesh" had transported me into Donne's England for a few moments, the dramatic effect of the opening was multiplied immensely.

In a nutshell, I find that I love Donne and I recommend this comprehensive easy-to-carry well-annotated edition. My only negative comment is that the editing is a bit unimaginative: the editor places the sonnets in alphabetical order of title simply because there is no accepted canonical ordering... Oh well.

Vincent Poirier, Tokyo

A wonderful companion book to "The Complete Poems of John Keats " is the photo-essay collection, "Walking North With Keats," which recreates a 44-day walking tour that the poet made with his writer-friend Charles Brown in 1818 through northern England, Ireland, and Scotland---which unfortunately was THE walk where he fell ill with the tuberculosis that would finally kill him at 25!

The author extensively, but joyfully, highlights Keats's early life, reviews the period's travel literature, photographs the locations & introduces Keats' odes & ballads as well as his letters written during the journey (which helps put into context the poems presented in this book)!

Next to Shakespeare I can not think of a Brittish poet who inspired me more than John Keats. His lyrical phrases, his sense of music and metaphor, and his visionary splendor dazzles one and leaves a reader in awe of his gift. My favorites are the Odes, especially the Ode To Psyche, and the Ode To A Nightingale. One can only wonder what great works might have come into existence from this great literary genius had he lived beyond the age of twenty six. Still, he did manage to distill from the heavens some of the finest poems of the English language.

Keats was the Romantic poet who cared most about art and beauty. He didn't allow himself to get mixed up in religion and politics like Shelley or Byron. But in quiet ways, he did comment on political, religious, aesthetic, and sexual beliefs, sometimes in ways that were less traditional than his poetic style. Above all, he was supremely conscious of beauty in the world, as well as the world's suffering.

David Rehak
author of "Poems From My Bleeding Heart"

¡§She dwells with Beauty¡XBeauty that must die.¡¨

¡§His soul shalt taste the sadness of her might, and be among her cloudy trophies hung.¡¨

These beautiful lines are written by John Keats (1795-1821), one of the most talented Romantic poets on par with Shelley, Wordsworth, and Bryon. Why would a charismatic Romantic, who cherishes beauty and life, write such sad and crestfallen lines?

It all began in the summer of 1819 when Keats went on a tour of Scotland, where his first symptoms of tuberculosis emerged. However, at the same time, Keats became engaged to the love of his life, Fanny Brawne, a girl next door. Tragically, doctors diagnosed that the tuberculosis was eroding his health, and eventually would end the life of the brilliant poet. Due to this unfortunate calamity, his marriage with Fanny became an impracticality. Amidst his depression and misery, he wrote the poem ¡§Ode on Melancholy.¡¨

The theme of the ode is that Happiness is transient and when Joy passes, all that is left is the bitter core of Melancholy. The rendezvous with Melancholy is inevitable because it will always be there when delightful moments depart. Keats felt that one must embrace sorrow in order to fully experience pleasure. John Keats grasped this philosophy of life during his years of malady and encourages the reader to enjoy life when possible and be ready to come across Melancholy in certain stages of one¡¦s life.

Many people may have thought Keats as a successful and accomplished poet. However, Melancholy was his frequent visitor and deprived Keats of Happiness. Tuberculosis took the lives of his mother, his brother and eventually himself, but emotionally, Keats was marred by the criticism toward his works and the departure of his lover. It seemed that the author lost his faith to overcome Melancholy and decided to advise the readers to not fall victim but respectfully accept and not evade it. I believe that people who choose to end their lives become Melancholy¡¦s trophies because they help to spread the powers of sorrow and grief. By killing oneself, one will be leaving loved ones with burdens of Melancholy to bear, and therefore winning more ¡§cloudy trophies¡¨ for the Goddess. In conclusion, one should recognize that Melancholy will eventually appear and by being prepared to embrace the arrival of Melancholy one can truly taste the sweetness of Happiness.

Overall this book is a great value, as would any book be that contains so many of Keats poems and puts them in a durable binding at an attractive price. However, I'm puzzled by the first two lines in the poem, " La Belle Dame Sans Merci" that read, " Ah, what can ail thee, wretched wight,/ Alone and palely loitering; ". In every book I've ever seen this poem in, or these two lines quoted , including my college Literature Text book, they read, " O what can ail thee, knight at arms,/ Alone and palely loitering ? " There is no information to tell us what the text of the poems for this volume are based on. And, I seem unable to find an e-mail address from The Modern Library's Web Site so I can ask. I would accept a response from The Modern Library if they cared to comment( e-mail at: stephenmccoy@cbnnow.com )

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...