A Poetry Handbook

Description

“Mary Oliver would probably never admit to anything so grandiose as an effort to connect the conscious mind and the heart (that’s what she says poetry can do), but that is exactly what she accomplishes in this stunning little handbook.”— Los Angeles Times From the beloved and acclaimed poet, an ultimate guide to writing and understanding poetry. With passion and wit, Mary Oliver skillfully imparts expertise on the poet’s craft from her long, celebrated career. She walks readers through exactly how a poem is built, from meter and rhyme, to form and diction, to sound and sense, drawing on poems by Robert Frost, Elizabeth Bishop, and others. This essential poetry handbook is an invaluable glimpse into Oliver’s prolific mind—a must-have for all poetry-lovers and students of creative writing. Written for aspiring poets and devoted readers alike, this concise guide illuminates the thoughtful machinery of the poem: A Guide for Writers: An invaluable glimpse into a master poet’s mind, offering practical advice on everything from finding your voice to the art of revision. Understanding Meter: Go beyond basic scansion as Oliver demystifies the music of the line, from iambic pentameter to the powerful variations that create rhythm and flow. The Power of Imagery: Learn how to move beyond simple description and use figurative language to create authentic, memorable poems with real texture. Exploring Free Verse: Master the subtleties of the modern poem, with clear guidance on how to build structure and design even without the constraints of traditional form. Review: Poetry Handbooks written by poets - Mary Oliver is a well-known, distinguished poet. Her book "A Poetry Handbook" was recommended to me by a professor from my current MFA Poetry program and it has been both a surprise, and a confirmation that poets themselves (not academics and critics) have the deepest insight into how to write a good poem. Oliver suggests that poetry is like a current ready to flow through you. It is not merely "an acquisition," a skill, or something outside yourself - but more a combination of punctuality in "showing up" to do the work, and an opening of the heart (or,as Oliver calls it: "that shy factory of the emotion.") Each chapter addresses component parts of poetry writing: line, sound, diction, imagery, voice and more. Oliver's choice of poets: Whitman, Bishop, James Wright, Frost, Pound, are all strong choices, their poems providing supportive examples of her discussion of craft. Most importantly, however, she provides the best piece of advise in her opening chapters: read, read, read poems. To be a good poet, you must read a range of poetry, spanning history and geography and style. And after that, Oliver provides the surprise (a heady permission I learned in my very early years of writing which has held fast through many moments of flagging confidence and motivation) "Imitate." We read, we imitate, and from this process we find our own voice and style. As Oliver tells us: "It demands finally, a thrust of our own imagination - a force, a new idea - to make sure that we don't merely copy, but inherit, and proceed from what we have learned." Though beautifully simple and straightforward, I would not categorize this book as being for any particular level of writer: beginner, or accomplished. The beginner will learn well and happily, and the more accomplished writer will find again and again, much needed resonance for the continuing passion of writing poetry. Review: Great writer! - Great addition to my library!