What We Carry (American Poets Continuum)
by Dorianne Laux (Goodreads author!)
published
June 1st 1994
by BOA Editions, Ltd.
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binding
Paperback, 80 pages
isbn
1880238071
(isbn13: 9781880238073)
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 155)
Laux is writing in the tradition of Sharon Olds. These are poems of the prose lyric, dense with metaphor, but story driven. Laux is writing about death, sex, relationships, manual labor and the metamorphosis of a woman who is entering post 30 something maturity. Some of Laux's endings feel sentimental to me, which stands out after such strong writing in the body of the poems, but when her endings are organic or subtle, she nails it.
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Read in July, 1999
A hearbreaking and heartwarming book, all at once. Dorianne is one of my favorite poets - she tells the truth like no-one else, like your best friend at a sleepover and then you want her to tell them again. I re-read this book regularly.
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No home should be without it. A veritable bible for the lyric narrative writer, okay?
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Read in January, 2008
Poetry. These are some of Laux's earlier pieces, and while some things don't change -- her writing is lovely and she can still work the hell out of a line break -- there's something missing here. I just didn't find as many favorites in this volume. Really, only two: Aphasia, Small Gods.
I greatly prefer her later books Smoke and Facts About the Moon, and I'd say if you were goi
I greatly prefer her later books Smoke and Facts About the Moon, and I'd say if you were goi
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for the sake of humanity read this book, as it is so very human in its narrative honesty and blushworthy sexiness. this sauciness increases through the book until your left quite hot under the collar. to warm up for the read, make sure you wink at the librarian as he returns your library card. cup the bookstore girl's hand as she slips you your change. there's no reason to be shy, kids. read "The Thief" or 'Kissing" while eating a bowl of hot sloppy noodles.
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Laux is my favorite contemporary female poet writing today. Her poems in this collection (as well as her other collections) are sensual, striking, and speak to the experiences of being a woman. Each poem is bold and astonishing, fueled by the pure, raw imagery. I often use her poems when teaching creative writing classes, and my students always respond with awe.
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This is my introduction to Dorianne Laux. Her poems are rich, vibrant, "sweet leeches of desire". Her language has a lot of torque, but sometimes it can't torque me out of myself...which is what I think I want from poetry these days. Maybe this is the limitation of lyric poetry? Who knows. I will read more and more and more.
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recommends it for:
Anyone
If you haven't read this you HAVE to. Like almost every poet I love, my friend Liz turned me on to her. She is amazing. Dust is my favorite poem in this book.
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once again - laux is fearless - her poetry bites then opens up to reveal the preservation of the self . . . a fearless poet -
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I really like this woman's poetry. You don't have to like poetry to enjoy her work.
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in October, 2007
Ahhh...another excellent Laux book (poetry). She's SO my friend on myspace! =D
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I like her voice and the poems were sensuous.
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