Dear Life

by Dennis O'Driscoll

A collection of poetry and works dedicated to Allah.

Genres: Poetry

112 pages, Paperback

First published May 17, 2012

About the author

Dennis O’Driscoll was born in Thurles, County Tipperary, Ireland in 1954. He published nine books of poetry, three chapbooks and a collection of essays and reviews. He also edited and compiled contemporary quotations about poets and poetry, and published Stepping Stones, a collection of his interviews with Seamus Heaney. He died in Naas, Co. Kildare on Christmas Eve, 2012.

Reviews

[Declan · Rating 5 out of 5]

"And if, from the get-go, life were touted
like a magazine subscription, would you -
knowing what you do now - sign up?

Take the six-month trial ('Money back if not satisfied')?
Tick the 'Yes, please' box?
The 'Rush me' one with the 'Bill me later' option?"

From "Sub"

So many of the thin
we go in fear of most
may never happen

we fear them all the more
the more they keep
not happening.

From "Say But The Word"

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this collection of poems. The author is brilliant and witty. He is also the most contemporary in his use of images. His poems feel both old and new at the same time. Most of them have quite a kick waiting at the end. His title poem - a long one near the end of the collection - is especially thought provoking and insightful. I must say it is one of the best named collections I’ve ever seen - everything works. I’m very glad I read it.

[Gareth Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful collection of poems. O’Driscoll is the inheritor of a long tradition of fine Irish poetry. His work is accessible and direct without sacrificing profundity. He writes of modern life in the face of a withering of religious belief. He confronts what it is to be human and to do so in a world we recognise. I have rarely been so moved.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bless my local librarians who set up poetry displays every few months. I plucked this one up. Starting reading it as I walked home. Couldn't let it go and renewed it the maximum number of times. Reader, I had it for nine weeks. I don't like to read poetry collections too quickly. Think of the time and years that may have gone into the crafting. I believe this book was published posthumously so re-think the poignancy of the very title. Then imagine the titular poem. Now say titular and posthumous. Similar to Raymond Carver's "New Path to the Waterfall," written in the end stages of life, there's an appreciation for the every day. A meal that can be shared after getting out of hospital. Unlike many of the poetry collections that I read/review looking for poems to share as writing prompts these were mostly too somber but oh so lovely.