The Waters Under the Earth

by Robert Siegel

The London Times Literary Supplement described Robert Siegel's poetry as "unpretentious versatility," "like returning to the mainland after a tour of the islands." In this latest collection of poems, Siegel brings his remarkable range and technical mastery to bear on the mysteries of creation - wolves, slugs, moles, fireworks, mowing - all hauntingly interwoven with mythical themes.

Genres: Poetry

136 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2005

About the author

Robert Harold Siegel was an American poet and novelist. He authored four books of poetry and five children's novels.

Reviews

[Knowlton Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best poem about slugs I have ever read. Also, best poem about grasshoppers I've ever read. Also, best poem about moles that I've ever read. Also, best poem about daddy long legs I have ever read. I have begun to suspect we don't anthropomorphize animals enough. These poems have only pushed me further into my suspicions.

Seriously, though--I especially loved the poems about fishing, and was practically crushed by the weight and beauty of the last poem, "Carrying The Father". I made sure to call my dad a few hours after reading it. I will be coming back to this one.

[Josiah Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this collection of poetry. Good poetry resonates with the reader, beyond subject matter. This one does that on almost every page.

[D. Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way I judge a book of poems is whether I want to read it again. And I do.

[Caleb M. Powers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming book of poetry that I really enjoyed.

[Will Dole · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Carrying the Father”…wow.

I listen to Joffre Swait’s reading of this book, which was great. But I need to pick up a hard copy.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chewing on it, skating across it, darting inside, suddenly whisked away, distracted, bemused, cast into deep reverie, brought up short, peering curiously, delighted.

This is fun poetry and deep poetry. You can glide through all of creation (moles, aphids, cows, mussels, you name it), you can wrestle with old forms (not even John Donne imagined that a sonnet was a basset hound), glimpse profound religious commentary (the breathtating 'A Notable Failure'; or 'Going On', a measured response to Larkin's 'Church Going'), be struck by particular landscapes, and in the final section be transported back into human fragility and warmth with an octet in memory of his father, which opens:

I

From here I carry him upon my back.
He is no longer heavy, though sometimes I
stumble over grief. In fact he is

thin as the wing on an October fly,
seen through as if not there at all, but
a certain light suddenly ablaze,

a transparent map of all my life.
He's here, and his voice runs through
my bones and through the roots of my hair.

[Winnie Thornton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was glad to have this when I was told to read two poems aloud every day.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful. Siegel is creative and versatile, and his understated, quiet poetry is a pleasure to read. Plus, he had a whole section on individual animals at which my inner biologist sang.

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good. Especially section three.