What: As the subtitle states, this is a collection of new and selected poems by Kay Ryan, the former poet laureate of the United States (you may not hear about it much, but yes, this is a thing that exists). Ryan has been widely praised for the beauty and accessibility of her poems, and the people who said this are not wrong.
Her writing is incredibly focused, even for short-form poetry. If you flip through one of her books, you'll see a series of very narrow columns of text. The tone of the poems is conversational, and deep in a way that doesn't make you feel dumb.
Comparable to: Marianne Moore.
Representative quote: "If it please God, / let less happen." (from "Blandeur")
You might not like it if: You continue in your campaign for no poetry, no way, no how.
How to get it: Ryan's a former poet laureate, so if you can find a poetry section somewhere, you have a good shot at finding this.
Connection to previous Wreckage: My first installment of "Poetry! It is a thing people still write!" was Rec. #19: Monologue of a Dog.
Comparable to: Marianne Moore.
Representative quote: "If it please God, / let less happen." (from "Blandeur")
You might not like it if: You continue in your campaign for no poetry, no way, no how.
How to get it: Ryan's a former poet laureate, so if you can find a poetry section somewhere, you have a good shot at finding this.
Connection to previous Wreckage: My first installment of "Poetry! It is a thing people still write!" was Rec. #19: Monologue of a Dog.
Additional contemporary poetry:
Meme (Rec. #268)
Ripple Effect (Rec. #118)
[Originally posted 2/18/11.]
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