had no way of knowing how much we would need these poems in, These are comforting poems, upbeat and kind, by famous poets and less famous poetsTed Kooser, Natasha Tretheway, Ellen Bass, William Stafford, Donald Hall, Joy Harjo, etc.
The poems are accessible, easy to read, which we need in hard times, One of my favorites is Crews own poem, “Telling My Father,” in which he discloses his gayness without actually saying it.
“My father turned to me then, taking in/the reek of my smoke, traces of last nights/eyeliner I decided not to wipe off this time.
/Out late was all he said, . . ” Then theres Alison Lutermans “I Confess,” describing an encounter at the grocery store where there are so many things she wants to say but only gets out “I love your hair.
” This is a book to savor and reread whenever life feels too hard, Beautiful I've been leading a discussion series on this book, and it has helped us through the beginning of the pandemic.
In a time of great change and social upheaval, this book has been an anchor, meeting us wherever we are, helping to tether us to the moment.
Brilliant collectionheart opening and glorious, Beautiful and comforting. A book to have on your bedside table, right now! I cannot recommend this poetry collection more highly, I purchased it before I knew we would be living in the midst of corona crisis I'm so grateful to have it.
I have read and reread many of these poems over the past several days, Words of compassion, words that remind us of our common humanity, words that soothe, . . I find many phrases I can relate to, some that make me smile, some that bring a lump to my throat.
And some that make me want to pick up a pen myself!
Some authors and a few poems I'd known before, many are new.
Here's a favorite:
Small Kindnesses
By Danusha Laméris
Ive been thinking about the way, when you walk
down a crowded aisle, people pull in their legs
to let you by.
Or how strangers still say “bless you”
when someone sneezes, a leftover
from the Bubonic plague, “Dont die,” we are saying,
And sometimes, when you spill lemons
from your grocery bag, someone else will help you
pick them up.
Mostly, we dont want to harm each other,
We want to be handed our cup of coffee hot,
and to say thank you to the person handing it.
To smile
at them and for them to smile back, For the waitress
to call us honey when she sets down the bowl of clam chowder,
and for the driver in the red pickup truck to let us pass.
We have so little of each other, now, So far
from tribe and fire, Only these brief moments of exchange,
What if they are the true dwelling of the holy, these
fleeting temples we make together when we say, “Here,
have my seat,” “Go ahead you first,” “I like your hat.
” I am completely undone by this collection of poetry, So many spoke directly to me, to the events happening in my life right now, to the state of our world, the poems are poignant, charming, vulnerable, uplifting, tender, and challenging.
My favorite is Listen by Barbara Crooker but truthfully they are all wonderful in one way or another, Highly recommended. What an excellent idea for a poetry collection and truly gorgeous selection, Perfect for my work as a facilitator, where I often use reading poetry aloud as a tool of reflection and connection.
Plan to make use of this book again and joyfully again, Many of these unfussy, nuanced gems of everyday kindness and tenderness may beget softening and forgiveness, I will be returning to this compilation of poems again and again, as its asking us to slow down and appreciate the little details and joys we may be overlooking.
I absolutely recommend reading Ross Gays featured poem, “A Small Needful Fact, ” An incredible collection. I loved them all. Gentle and powerful at the same time, this collection of poems speaks into the reality of our lives, This thoughtful anthology encourages us towards our common dreams and yearnings for a hopefilled tomorrow starting today, In the times that we live in today, this collection comes as a breath of fresh air, I have found myself pulling this book out over and over again as I seek out hope and joy and peace in the midst of this crazy life we live in.
At once a masterful collection of care for both the self and others, as well as a quiet reflection on the importance and vitality of compassion, this is truly one for the ages.
At our table, graced by a loaf/ that steamed when we sliced it,/ softened the butter and leavened/ the very air wed breathe,/ hed count us blessed Bread, Richard Levine
Like fresh bread, this collection is utter warmth and softness.
New dimensions of kindness and connection to explore each read, Would make a lovely gift for anyone even slightly interested in poetry, An excellent collection. Was it a coincidence that I borrowed this book from the Library at this time, or was it providence I dont know, but my heart is lighter all the same.
I've never been one for anthologies, but this one has changed my mind, A thoughtfully curated collection of modern poets who have each captured moments of kindness and connection in daily life.
. . and there are some beautiful works in this collection, . . this book provides an antidote for the malaise, the anger, the hate speech, and the cruelty that tend to dominate our airwaves, our social media, and our political discourse.
This is a book I'll be keeping close by to reread poems as the need arises, and I'm sure it will arise.
These poems are a pleasant reminder of how decent people can be to each other and to their fellow creatures and that love, actually, is all around us.
This brought me so much joy, In the midst of a pandemic amp a world of chaos, it is rare to find so much kindness.
This anthology brought me peace and I am thankful for all the poets sharing their kindnesses and moments of connection.
One of the best poetry collections I've read in awhile, If you haven't read poetry lately, or even if you have, this is a great reminder of what the heart of good and true poems can do.
What a great collection of poems to reconnect us to the very essence of our humanity and ultimately to one another, bridging divides which try and separate us from one another, i.
e. , political polarization, etc. I looked forward to reading a few of these poems each night at bedtime, This is a beautifully curated anthology that holds and soothes the soul, In these days of anxiety and uncertainty, this book soothes and reassures, After an insightful introduction by Ted Kooser, James Crews brings together poets who encourage connection, harmony, compassion,
It didnt hurt that the work is by some of my favorite people, including Barbara Crooker, Donald Hall, Jane Kenyon, Dorianne Laux whose “Mothers Day” left such an impression on me, W.
S. Merwin how I want to emulate his gift, and Connie Wanek if you havent read her Consider the Lilies: Mrs.
God Poems, do so!,
I also discovered new poets who are not new, but new to me:
Mary Elder Jacobsen.
You cant go wrong with a turtle poem! I, too, am “mesmerized by a moving shell, ”
Alison Luterman. Her “I Confess” made me smile after a stressful day,
Danusha Laméris. “Small Kindnesses” was perhaps my favorite of the collection,
So many moments of joy and simple pleasures fill these pages, Ill be rereading it often, As with any poetry book, do you truly read the whole thing I loved many of the poems I read.
Others didn't speak to me, I chose it for the topic and the poems certainly are about kindness and connection, When I get a poetry book out of the library, I skip around in it, reading a few a day.
weeks is never enough to truly read a poetry book! I will request it again, I got the book cuz it featured one of my favourite poets, Ross Gay, But the book overall has
many soothing and bright poems, Great as a bedtime read or for soon after you wake, I can't say enough good about this anthology, It's the kind of book you can travel with, and open anywhere, .
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James Crews