The Poetry of Birds

by Samuel Carr

A collection of memorable poems whose subjects are birds themselves, from Chaucer's Chaunticleer to Hughes's Hawk Roosting, is illustrated with reproductions of notable drawings and paintings of birds

Genres: Poetry, Nature, Birds, Animals, Art, Nonfiction

88 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1976

Reviews

[Elizabeth☮ · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated book with poems about birds. Many of the poems focus on specific birds, others just a celebration of birds and their habits.

I liked many of the poets represented, but most of them are pre-date the twentieth century. I would have liked to see more contemporary poets incorporated in as well.

I think what I liked best is looking at Audobon's illustrations.

[Alex Boon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can’t fault the poems, though I wonder why Mary Oliver’s incredible ‘Wild Geese’ would be omitted from a book of the best bird poetry. Also, perplexed as to why I can’t find a mention anywhere in the book itself that the illustrations are Audubon. Seems a bit disrespectful not to mention that at all when the illustrations are so critical to the quality of this beautiful collection 🧐

[SANDRA GARNER · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely book to keep by the bed or "coffee table book". I've read it all and several poems lots of times. I like to just pick it up, flick the pages and read whatever I turn to.

[Marylou · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book, both for its illustrations and for its selection of poems.

[Evelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The editor of this book has gathered a selection of poems that reference birds that are for the most part in the public domain. The majority are by British authors and reference birds found in the British Isles. Many of the birds are metaphors for human behavior and emotions, although one would not know it from this collection, or its references since the poems are presented without any context. Others reference birds in their discourse upon religion and other subjects.

The poems are not organized by subject matter although one may find poems about the same species scattered throughout the book as well as poetry relating to religion, seasons, and other topics.

Illustrations taken from James Audubon’s Birds of America accompany the text. They have little relationship to most of the British and European birds referenced in these poems. Unfortunately, for the reader who might wish to know more about the artwork, the editor fails to credit Audubon for it, or provide the name or title of the paintings and drawings that appear in this book.

Although many of the poems are delightful, due to the absence of context, and the failure to credit the artist and label the artwork, the book rates 3.5 stars.

[Katharine Sucher · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5. Just because a poem is from before the twentieth century doesn't mean it is good (looking at you, Tennyson's "The Eagle"). I would have liked to see better diversity of poets and more contemporary poems throughout. (Not a single Mary Oliver??) Beautifully designed though.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeous book!

[Lizzytish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and sweet poems about marvelous birds

[Lisa Griffee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the illustrations and enjoyable poetry.
It's a book that I'll continue to keep on the side table to pick up and just take a moment.

[Kilarev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked this up because I am a fan of all things birds and heavily interested in anything 19th century and before. This has lots of old poems and lovely illustrations, so it's perfect.