pleasure is a poem
kelly | 24 September 2006 - 8:51pm
I've recently taken up reading poetry. I read a variety of poetry as an English major, of course, and always enjoyed it, but never read it on my own. But recently, for reasons unknown to me, I've been craving verse.
What I like about a poem is that it's a puzzle. It takes figuring out. It takes focus. Poetry keeps my mind sharp. And open. And there is such delight in it. Such economy and beauty. Poetry is an incredible craft. I've been reading it before bed, and it has been the perfect way to end the day because it both presents a challenge and soothes me before sleep.
I bought Word of Mouth and loved it. It's a compilation of poems featured on NPR. I always enjoy hearing poets read their work during that segment, and I was thrilled when I happened upon this book at Barnes & Noble. And I definitely recommend it as an excellent collection of (and introduction to) contemporary poetry.
David Lehman is the poet I liked immediately upon hearing him read his poems on NPR. Part of the reason I bought Word of Mouth was because his poems were included. Recently at a book fair, I found two of his books of poems, The Daily Mirror and Valentine Place. I bought them both. I was especially intrigued by The Daily Mirror because it's the result of an experiment he began - to write a poem every day. It is, as he calls it, "a journal in poetry." I loved the concept, but many of the poems, honestly, didn't resonate with me. Nor did many of the ones in Valentine Place. There are some gems, but overall he proved to be not the right fit for me.
That's okay - I've got several more books by other poets stacked on my nightstand. And I'll happily take your recommendations if you've got any.
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girlfriend, you have just happened upon my concentration as an English major. now, go get some Billy Collins, Naomi Shihab-Nye, Greg Orr (one of my profs.), Elizabeth Bishop, W.B Yeats, Stanley Kunitz, Louise Gluck, and Rita Dove (another one of my profs.) and as for puzzles there is no better than e.e. cummings. i loved him in high school. give me the type that you like, i.e. dense, structured, free-form, language poets, arty, pastoral, emotional, abstract... and i'll direct you in the right place, or at least try to. yea for peotry. there is a great resource on the net called www.poets.org where you can look up a poet and read some of their work. great stuff. have fun!!
If you haven't already, try Mary Oliver. Lovely textures; vivid, memorable images; and heart from here to the Milky Way ...
The extent of my knowledge on collection of poems is Shel Silverstein.
I like how you equate poems to puzzles. I never looked at them that way.
I've never been able to get into poetry. But maybe I should try again, now that I've gotten all staid and mature in my old age. *cough*
Mmm... poetry is such a sensual experience. To read before bed, I would suggest Pablo Neruda's 20 Love Poems and a Song of Despair in the dual-language edition, so you can see how effortlessly the words roll along in Spanish. Also his 100 Love Sonnets. Normally I am not a big fan of the love poem, but his poetry is really a celebration of the sensual world. "I have gone marking the atlas of your body / with crosses of fire. / My mouth went across: a spider, trying to hide. / In you, behind you, timid, driven by thirst."
I'm with William on this one, yet i'm not closed to exploring new things. I do own a Shel Silverstein book of poems, but I bought it for the kids.
Reading this post has me intrigued and considering making a purchase of the book you recommended; especially since you said its an excellent introduction.
I agree with anna. Often I yearn for poetry. Often I return to Louise Gluck and Adrienne Rich, among others.
I've just recently gotten into poetry. Before I didn't understand it (still don't a lot of the time) and it didn't appeal. Two of my favorite are Mary Oliver and Sharon Olds. Especially Sharon Olds.
Wow. Thank you all for your suggestions. You guys are totally literary! (And Shel Silverstein counts.) Also, jessica_deva, Pablo Neruda is one of the ones on my nightstand, in fact. Dual language and everything. I've been reading them first in Spanish. I don't get everything, but I can read enough to know that they are even more lovely in Spanish.
My mother, an English professor, says her favorite poet is
Bill Collins.
I'm with William...Sarah Sylvia Cynthia Stout (who would not take the garbage out) is about as deep as my poetry reading goes.
I'm such a cultural infidel...that's a Jummy Buffett thing, does that count as poetry? Like quoting his songs 'n stuff? No? Mmmk.
Mojo, what I want to know is if you asked your mom or if you already knew that. Because if you already knew her favorite poet, I'm damn impressed.
TKW, I contend that Sarah Sylvia Cynthia Stout is an important piece of Americana.
I love Lorna Crozier "Angels of Flesh, Angels of Silence" is so good.
I love Wallace Stevens "Sunday Morning".
I love the one by Auden for Yeats, "it survives, a way of happening,
a mouth".
Thanks for the reminder to open a poem up once in a while, K.
Thanks for the suggestions, amy. For some reason, I think we might have similar taste. I'll check them out!