"True ease in writing comes from art, not chance, / As those move easiest who have learn'd to dance," wrote Alexander Pope. "The dance," in the cas...
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reviews
Oct 23, 2010
Wonderful. I was lucky enough in college to have several class periods completely devoted to scanning a single Shakespeare sonnet, "When to the sessions of sweet silent class," and we went over it, foot by foot, line by line, sound by sound. It was a "speech" class from the Theater department, not English, yet it was my first real introduction to the skills, tools, and insight available for understanding and loving the depth, subtlety, and emotional complexity of poetry--me
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Apr 27, 2010
Kelly Jo
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"Not knowing how to listen, they read the poem but they do not hear it sing, or slide, or slow down, or crush with the heel of sound, or leap off the line, or hurry, or sob, or refuse to move from the self-pride of the calm pentameter no matter what fire is rustling through it." (p.vii)
This is why Mary Oliver wrote this book, to help us understand how to not just read poetry, but to feel it, to hear its music.
Divided into sections that discuss Rules, Style, Sca More...
This is why Mary Oliver wrote this book, to help us understand how to not just read poetry, but to feel it, to hear its music.
Divided into sections that discuss Rules, Style, Sca More...
Jul 21, 2009
Mike
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If I were teaching a metrical poetry class, or a semester-length general poetry class, I would reach for this book. Oliver's writing style, though occasionally a bit... idiosyncratic... is down-to-earth and inviting. She introduces rather a lot of terminology, but in a matter-of-fact way that seems to engage rather than repel.
Apr 27, 2010
Kristin
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I tried for ages to find a really good, really accessible book on metrical poetry, and with this, I finally did. Oliver's beautiful prose gets right down to the heart of poetry, explaining not only its form but its purpose with clarity and care. Although I suspect that poets with a better grasp of meter than myself may find this a bit too simplistic, I can't imagine anyone wouldn't benefit from a look, and I would recommend this highly for any reader or writer of poetry.
Nov 28, 2011
Satia
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This book and Oliver's A Poetry Handbook are truly all anyone needs to appreciate the art of poetry. For more:
http://satiasreviews.blogspot.com/2011/1...
http://satiasreviews.blogspot.com/2011/1...
Oct 24, 2011
Shawn
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Super boring. I had to read this for a Writing About Literature class at ISU that I hurried and dropped as soon as I read this book and then had to write a 10 page paper on it all within the first week of school. Too much for me.
Jul 23, 2011
JaNeal
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An excellent introduction to meter in poetry. I wish I would have picked this up a couple of years ago--I already feel like I do a better job reading poetry. Now for some more work in the writing category...
Jul 27, 2011
Joe
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This book convinced me that freedom and form are not mutually exclusive - something true in life as well as the poem. I love this book.
Sep 09, 2010
Vpal23
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This text provides a more thorough discussion of rhyme and meter in plain English. Very helpful if you're a poet or a lover of poetry.
Apr 14, 2011
Rachel
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For some reason, this book deeply influenced my philosophy and theology of art making. And it opened poetry to me.
Sep 22, 2010
Brandon
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I love Mary Oliver. Her books on reading and writing poetry are beautiful and brilliant. This book is great. Her book A Poetry Handbook is even better.
Dec 17, 2010
Laurie
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If you're a poet, or if you disbelieve that Oliver's seemingly effortless verse is carefully constructed, read this.
Dec 28, 2007
D'Anne
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A good introduction to poetic meter/prosody, though Mary Oliver can be a bit precious at times (the dancing metaphor, while fitting, gets a little tired after a while). I strongly recommend this book over The Sounds of Poetry by Robert Pinsky. Oliver's occasional preciousness is far more tolerable (and, indeed, kind of endearing) than Pinsky's occasional arrogance. For a more rigorous study of prosody I recommend Poetic Meter and Poetic Form by Paul Fussell.
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Apr 26, 2011
Michelle
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Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. Oliver is especially good at describing rhythm.
Dec 22, 2011
Marcela
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A great resource for poetry writers. I loved the clear presentation of all the information.
Oct 12, 2009
Tara
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A respected poet recommended this to me as a first dip into metrical poetry. Amazing! Although I have studied poetry for six years, I always avoided metrical poetry (both the reading and writing of it) because I'd had such bad, boring, or confusing experiences in high school. Oliver's book was a gentle way into the waters. Not only has my writing improved but I'm now reading for the first time the old poets--and enjoying them!
Jun 26, 2011
Nancy
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Like learning a new language, this key to the codes of music in lines of words is a thick thrill.
At least at first. Then it changed to tasting a tiny bit like medicine. (I think it was when she moved beyond explaining the basics of rhythm and into a sketch of traditional forms.)
But I let this thin guide lead me (for several months!) and was a serious student of sound and my culture's canon and felt the reward.
(Patching the holes in my poetic literacy.)
At least at first. Then it changed to tasting a tiny bit like medicine. (I think it was when she moved beyond explaining the basics of rhythm and into a sketch of traditional forms.)
But I let this thin guide lead me (for several months!) and was a serious student of sound and my culture's canon and felt the reward.
(Patching the holes in my poetic literacy.)
Mar 29, 2009
Joshua
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if you wanna know more about flow, this helps. mary oliver is a very good teacher.
Jan 22, 2008
Leslita
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A basic text on writing form and metered poetry, but with much more information and inspiration included in the thin paperback. She discusses style and the power of pauses and mutes; line length and meaning. When I am really stuck at writing or living, this is the book I reach for.
Dec 17, 2009
Wren
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A beautifuuly written exploration of metrical verse. If you enjoy reading metrical poetry, this book will help you understand how to scan a poem to more fully enjoy not only the words but how the rhythm and rhyme add to the richness of the poem.
May 24, 2009
Octaviosolis
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A fantastic primer for young poets. But also the perfect way to hearken to the ways that make our own writing sing. Ms. Oliver is a high priestess of the specially crafted moment and I've learned so much from her.
Sep 24, 2008
Claudia
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A lovely book about metrical techniques used in writing form-based poetry. I've also found it comes in quite handy with songwriting and lyric development.
Jun 26, 2009
Lolly
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If you teach, you should buy and read this. You will enjoy it...and you will learn to boot!
Feb 20, 2008
Jennifer
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I'm not a big fan of form poetry -- but this book is a fabulous find in how to appreciate it.
