Caught in the Quiet

by Rod Mc Kuen

A cycle of love poems which are numbered rather than named, because the author considers them to be more subjective than collective.

Genres: Poetry

81 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1970

Reviews

[Amanda]

I think you can find something that fits any situation in this collection. He is talking about everything & nothing, love & loss, he also says who cares if you are gay, straight, or bisexual just as long as you're happy.

[Brooklyne Flink]

i wanted to get back into reading when i spotted this book at my local goodwill. it was small and seemed the perfect size to start reading again.

the poems were small and quaint. there are small metaphors, similes, and other little things to like about this book.

i don’t necessarily recommend it unless you struggle to read. it doesn’t move you or make you feel like all the good books do. it does make you think and wonder. however, the poems aren’t bad, but they’re not good.

hope this helped! :)

[Lori]

As with all his other collection:
Drenched in love and longing and heartbreak.
Just stunning.

[Steph S]

"in love or out of love we are suspended as
in a limbo created by the presence of
or the lack of someone else."

[Lynn]

always good to reread some poetry

[Paula Dembeck]

This book of poetry was published in 1970 when McKuen was still at the top of his popularity, producing new poetry, writing songs and performing at world-wide concerts and at New York’s Carnegie Hall.

This work continues to focus on the same familiar themes his followers connected to -- love, personal relationships, feelings, spirituality and the natural world.

He was still discounted by the literary critics who pronounced his work as superficial and refused to even call him a poet.

Nevertheless, he was still popular and his work still sold well.

[Addison]

Once again I am moved by the words of Rod McKuen, forever left behind.
I do wonder what he was like, and what it would have been like to have lived in the same time as him.
His words have touched me, and it is a feeling I can't quite erase IF that makes any sense.
I especially loved one of his last few lines in the book, they went like this:

"I cannot add or take away
what you have been
or will be for me."

I think that's beautiful.

[Jon Nakapalau]

Caught in the quiet,
I look for you there
At the place we first met.
But looking can make you
lost
And then you have to find yourself
again so please
Wait for me there
And I promise I will find
What is in both our hearts
Before summer ends.

[j e s s a]

Mr. McKuen writes with a burning passion. Evident with this poetry collection is his artistry with words and how he can convert emotions into text. Also, this got all the elements needed to become an RnB album. Haha!

[Adrian Rios]

A really handsome poetry book. The romance of these poems so heart warming, the moments of intimate privacy so beautiful, and the more heartbreaking moments so heart sinking; it inspires one to be in Love.

It was a diamond in the rough moment finding this book at my local library's book sale.

[Suzanne Macdowell]

I have always lived the poetry of Rod McKuen. Now it is hard to find and my volumes have disappeared due to too many moves so I was thrilled when I came across this slim volume in a used book store. One of the BEST dollar I have spent! Mini minds and Maxi skirts, I have to remember that line.

[Drusilla Hill]

I have enjoyed this book since it was first published.

It continually brings me enjoyment.

[brynn]

“you pave the road, i’ll follow

you build the bridge, i’ll test it first”

[Jennifer]

Not my favorite. A few good lines. Small short book maybe worth a visit later.

[abs]

3.5 ⭐️

[Britney Mann]

I'm not a "poetry person" and picked this off my bookshelf because one of the categories this month for a book challenge I'm participating in was poetry. It is my husband's book, but he said he hasn't read it. It was amazing how easy it was to connect to. Each poem was full of emotion, love, longing. It was incredible how you could tell exactly what McKuen meant or was talking about without even being able to put it in words yourself. Definitely one to savor and enjoy again and again!

[Bob Conner]

Awesome! If you like Rod McKuen's like I do, this is, in my opinion, his best; work you can read, reread, and reread again and never fail to walk away calm, collected and pensive. Keep this in your pocket and wear the pocket out.

[Hope]

My opinion of Rod McKuen's work may well be laced with nostalgia. I started reading him in high school, introduced my a dear friend. Our shared fondness, and the sheer intensity of being a teenager made his poems blaze across our hearts.

Nonetheless, his poetry still kindles fires in my heart :)

[Taylor]

Another collection of unusual poems that are without a doubt from the heart of the author.

[Notdorothy]

Caught In the Quiet by Rod McKuen (1970)

[Adrian]

Not a bad poetry collection, but you can't really tell what he's talking about at any given point...is he gay? straight? confused? I dunno, and frankly, am post the point of caring.

[Carol]

This is a favorite book of mine...!!

[Liv]

Beautiful, thoughtful, nice, and warm. Probably my favorite poet of all time.

[Amanda]

Quiet, beautiful and real. Such a surprise to find, but amazing, too.