Essential Poetry
The best of my collection, although there are many more not listed, of whom I am familiar with only a poem here or there. [For the easily intimidated, the ones with a † actually rhyme!!]

 

  • The Book of Uncommon Prayer A treat my sister found for me, containing prayers from the writings of Donne, Wordsworth, Hopkins and more!†
  • The Stream and the Sapphire by Denise Levertov. A gift from Barry, a dear friend and fellow poet.
  • Rilke's Book of Hours: Love Poems to God Rainer Maria Rilke's poems of spiritual yearning and discovery. His words reflect my heart's thoughts more eloquently than I can express them myself!
  • The Poetry and Short Stories of Dorothy Parker, a source of cynical and sarcastic poems on life and love†
  • Collected Poems of Emily Dickinson, including the first poem I memorized, "I'm Nobody. Who Are You?"†
  • Shakespeare Sonnets suitable for wooing, even after all these years! (#29 is my favorite)†
  • Perpendicular As I by Marjorie Maddox, prof. of my college poetry writing seminar. She taught me anything I know about form and style, and encouraged me immensely. Her stuff is exquisite!
  • Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein, one of three classic collections of his "nonsense" that playfully exaggerate the best and worst aspects ol life as a child.†

 

Back to Essential Reading

Back to Mian Page


Powered by WebTV