Archeology of the Circle: New and Selected Poems

by Bruce Weigl

With Song of Napalm, Bruce Weigl established himself as a poet of incomparable power and lyric fury whose work stands as an elegy to the countless lives dramatically altered by war. Archeology of the Circle brings together the major work of one of America's greatest poets. Collected here for the first time, from eight volumes of poetry and spanning two decades, the poems in Archeology of the Circle also include Bruce Weigl's most recent work, which takes a dramatic turn toward a hard-bitten and sensuous lyric. Out of the horror of individual experience, Bruce Weigl has fashioned poetry that offers solace to disillusionment and bears transcendent resonance for all of us. Archeology of the Circle illustrates Bruce Weigl's remarkable creative achievements and signifies his own personal and spiritual salvation through his writing.

Genres: Poetry

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Ambrose Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars. I liked his earlier poetry through Song of Napalm (1988) a lot more than the poetry of the 1990’s. Otherwise some good poetry here.

[Nathaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never been a big fan of Vietnam War literature--in that I don't actively seek it out--but Weigl really pushes you to reconsider it as something new, especially in poetry. Smartly, he doesn't just write about the Vietnam War, but touches on other subjects I think poets--especially male poets, and male writers--fear: sexual abuse, sexuality, male-male love (not necessarily romantic). It's an eye-opening anthology of work--my first experience with Weigl and a worthwhile one that makes me want to seek out more.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Even the weaknesses are a kind of beauty for the way they bind us into what love. finally, must be."

-from The Confusion of Planes We Must Wander in Sleep

[Wayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found another new favorite poet in this collection. Themes of trauma, war, selfhood, redemption visited and revisited over decades. This collection reads like a memoir, his would be fascinating.

[Ann Keller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bruce Weigl, who grew up in Lorain County, Ohio, provides a graphic testament to the horrors of war. It is difficult enough to capture the nightmarish images of Vietnam on a few pages, much less compress them into verse. Every word must be chosen with care. It can be as searing as a blast of napalm or as deadly as a trip wire held in an old man’s teeth.

This book of poetry captures the Vietnam era in great detail, but it also hints at the triumph of the returning soldier. Blending back into normal life was difficult for these returning GIs. For some, the struggle proved insurmountable. For others, the task took decades. Within these pages, we catch a glimpse of a man caught in this time of conflict and change. Sobering and memorable read.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how fearless Bruce is. Each poem is so intimate and powerful, as if the images are leaping off the pages... For me, his work certainly transcends the "war poetry" label that's always linked to it. Interesting too, to read the teacher of my teacher, and wonder if and how my own work is going to be shaped by this legacy.

[Hope L. Justice · Rating 4 out of 5]

He is my lifelong friend and mentor, and even so, this selection didn't grip me as a few other collections. What an amazing amazing career and lifelong achievement. I prefer to read the collections in context. This is a great starting point or just an addition to one's own poetry collection. My love Bruce. Missing you as always.

Hope Justice, Lorain Ohio

[Koeeoaddi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know why we long so for the dead
Who can do us no good, eventually,
Like you, a flood of stars will drown us all.

This book is startlingly beautiful. Not at all what I expected.

[Melody · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too raw-edged for me, though I certainly feel the power in these poems. I'm more a A.E. Housman and Henry Reed woman. Too much, too fast, too furious.