Geography of Hope

by David J. Rothman

The West is a big place, and this is a rich book. Humor, love, nature, politics, and magic nestle within its lines, along with sadness, anger, regret, and grief. Yet even in confrontations with the darker side of things these poets are still speaking from a young country, describing lives which call out for words. Like all poets, they are imagining ways to live, which has to mean living in a given place, and therefore with each other. Further, although what brings them together in this anthology is a regional fact, all of the them aspire to put the best possible words in the best possible order, connecting this region to far more than itself. Simply by focusing human attention, putting pen to paper, and then sending their verses out into this place and the wider world, they fulfill a small part of Stegner's vision of the West as a geography of hope.

Genres: Poetry

146 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1998

Reviews

[Abby]

If you can find this, nab it. It's exactly what I hoped for in the way of humor, breathlessness, love and construction (sorry, I've been reading poetry). It's all the choice snippets of this and that which make for a great collection. I do wonder how this anthology came to be--rather suspicious that the editor included quite a few of his own poems, which I suppose is his prerogative. And I'd like to see a few more girls in here. But well done, Conundrum Press.

Favorites? Oh goodness...I would have to pick one for every poet, just about. But if I'm forced, I guess I'll say "climbing the ridge" by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, "I Want to Speak With the Blood That Lies Down" by James Tipton, and "Wire Song" by Mark Todd.