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Earth Apples: The Poetry of Edward Abbey
EDWARD ABBEY continues to grow in stature as one of America's funniest and most profound twentieth-century writers. Brooding, iconoclastic, prophetic, Abbey was principally known as a prose writer, the author of such legendary works as The Monkey Wrench Gang, Desert Solitaire, and The Brave Cowboy.
Although Abbey rarely published his poetry, he was, unbeknownst to his loyal and often fanatical public, a passionate producer of verse, and these seventy-one original poems—never before published in any form (although several were rejected by the leading magazines of the nation)—offer an insightful and wrenching look into the mind of this great man known to some as "Cactus Ed." To read these poems, all written between 1952 and 1989, and culled from his Journals, is to feel the ineffable, irrefutable essence of Edward Abbey. The poems frequently alternate between the joy and pain that marked his life, and all brandish his immutable character and nonconformity.
Whether writing about his love of wild doves, his unadulterated hatred of New York City, or his fondness for bawdy women, Abbey was unapologetically passionate—and these poems will only add to his literary reputation and mythic stature.
Not bad for a spud-digging farm boy out of rural Pennsylvania.
Although Abbey rarely published his poetry, he was, unbeknownst to his loyal and often fanatical public, a passionate producer of verse, and these seventy-one original poems—never before published in any form (although several were rejected by the leading magazines of the nation)—offer an insightful and wrenching look into the mind of this great man known to some as "Cactus Ed." To read these poems, all written between 1952 and 1989, and culled from his Journals, is to feel the ineffable, irrefutable essence of Edward Abbey. The poems frequently alternate between the joy and pain that marked his life, and all brandish his immutable character and nonconformity.
Whether writing about his love of wild doves, his unadulterated hatred of New York City, or his fondness for bawdy women, Abbey was unapologetically passionate—and these poems will only add to his literary reputation and mythic stature.
Not bad for a spud-digging farm boy out of rural Pennsylvania.
112 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
19 people are currently reading
239 people want to read
About the author
Edward Abbey
76 books2,121 followersEdward Paul Abbey (1927–1989) was an American author and essayist noted for his advocacy of environmental issues, criticism of public land policies, and anarchist political views.
Abbey attended college in New Mexico and then worked as a park ranger and fire lookout for the National Park Service in the Southwest. It was during this time that he developed the relationship with the area’s environment that influenced his writing. During his service, he was in close proximity to the ruins of ancient Native American cultures and saw the expansion and destruction of modern civilization.
His love for nature and extreme distrust of the industrial world influenced much of his work and helped garner a cult following.
Abbey died on March 14, 1989, due to complications from surgery. He was buried as he had requested: in a sleeping bag—no embalming fluid, no casket. His body was secretly interred in an unmarked grave in southern Arizona.
Abbey attended college in New Mexico and then worked as a park ranger and fire lookout for the National Park Service in the Southwest. It was during this time that he developed the relationship with the area’s environment that influenced his writing. During his service, he was in close proximity to the ruins of ancient Native American cultures and saw the expansion and destruction of modern civilization.
His love for nature and extreme distrust of the industrial world influenced much of his work and helped garner a cult following.
Abbey died on March 14, 1989, due to complications from surgery. He was buried as he had requested: in a sleeping bag—no embalming fluid, no casket. His body was secretly interred in an unmarked grave in southern Arizona.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
November 11, 2023
March, 1952 - Edinburgh
O love, let us be true to one another, while the gods fall and the skies split open in thunder. Let us be true to Art, the cause of beauty - dedicate our lives and all the rest. Let us be true to our own humanity, not forgetting others, that we who are more fortunate and beautiful than all the saints in the painted heaven ever can be - that we may be in motion, always growing, but dream of death.
O love, let us be true to one another, while the gods fall and the skies split open in thunder. Let us be true to Art, the cause of beauty - dedicate our lives and all the rest. Let us be true to our own humanity, not forgetting others, that we who are more fortunate and beautiful than all the saints in the painted heaven ever can be - that we may be in motion, always growing, but dream of death.
May 14, 2018
I love that damn ol Abbey
October 23, 2015
Great to hear his voice again. I had forgotten this book, bought long ago and lost in the stacks. Sure, they're not the most immortal of all poems, but for fans and friends of Abbey they ring true and deep. Yes, there are a few warts, but then there's this:
A Sonnet for Everett Reuss
(1983—Oracle, Arizona)
You walked into the radiance of death
through passageways of stillness, stone and light,
gold coin of cottonwoods, the spangled shade,
cascading song of canyon wren, the flight
of scarlet dragonflies at pools, the stain
of water on a curve of sand, the art
of roots that crack the monolith of time.
You know the crazy lust to probe the heart
of that which has no heart we could know,
toward the source, deep in the core, the maze,
the secret center where no bounds hold.
Hunter, brother, companion of our days:
that blessing you hunted, hunted too;
what you were seeking, is what found you.
A Sonnet for Everett Reuss
(1983—Oracle, Arizona)
You walked into the radiance of death
through passageways of stillness, stone and light,
gold coin of cottonwoods, the spangled shade,
cascading song of canyon wren, the flight
of scarlet dragonflies at pools, the stain
of water on a curve of sand, the art
of roots that crack the monolith of time.
You know the crazy lust to probe the heart
of that which has no heart we could know,
toward the source, deep in the core, the maze,
the secret center where no bounds hold.
Hunter, brother, companion of our days:
that blessing you hunted, hunted too;
what you were seeking, is what found you.
April 10, 2014
It is my belief that Edward Abbey never intended this poetry to be published, at least not 99% of it. Mostly because it wasn't published in his lifetime, and he clearly felt that poetry, good 'real' poetry, was the stuff of blood and sweat. These poems are not that. A very few are really good, most are mediocre, some are utter crap. Anyone who's ever attempted to write poetry beyond the teenage-angst years understands that this is how poetry works for most people.
That said, for the few poems that are worth your time, this book is not difficult to zip through to find the true 'apples' among the 'potatoes'. The ones written about his loved ones and a couple written about his moments in national parks are the poems that truly stand out.
That said, for the few poems that are worth your time, this book is not difficult to zip through to find the true 'apples' among the 'potatoes'. The ones written about his loved ones and a couple written about his moments in national parks are the poems that truly stand out.
January 27, 2015
I read this for the 2015 Read Harder Book Riot Challenge. Even though I wrote quite a bit of poetry in the past I don't particularly enjoy reading it and most of this just annoyed me. But it was a book I had on hand, so I used it for the challenge. There were a couple that made me laugh and only one that I really LIKED. (The last one, figures, right?!) Anyway, I am sure other people who can appreciate the thoughts behind this poetry have enjoyed the crass and dry passages that I was only too happy to get through.
December 29, 2024
This was a case of the right book being discovered at the right time, or maybe the right poet.
I don't know that I'd ever read an Edward Abbey poem, and I'm not sure how this collection came to be on my shelves, other than it was a nice edition of poetry and I probably saw it at a thrift store or book sale somewhere. I landed on my shelves and has been there forever, I think.
But Abbey was a thrill to read, his poems mostly short, fragmentary, and often reflective of his coarse persona. He loved the West, namely New Mexico and Arizona, and I'm sure that was also a reflection of his prickly self. His poems are often wild with images, sometimes completely incomprehensible (as a poet I totally get this), but he also demonstrated great humor in his poems and more often than not I was smiling and quietly chuckling at his audacity when it came to "what should a poem be."
I identified with him. In the introduction, the editor notes that Abbey was a 'one and done' sort of poet, who rarely revised a poem after the second draft, and that has been my own methodology.
I have been inspired by his unique visions, the odd turns of phrase, his bawdiness, his in-your-face personality.
The right poet at the right time.
I don't know that I'd ever read an Edward Abbey poem, and I'm not sure how this collection came to be on my shelves, other than it was a nice edition of poetry and I probably saw it at a thrift store or book sale somewhere. I landed on my shelves and has been there forever, I think.
But Abbey was a thrill to read, his poems mostly short, fragmentary, and often reflective of his coarse persona. He loved the West, namely New Mexico and Arizona, and I'm sure that was also a reflection of his prickly self. His poems are often wild with images, sometimes completely incomprehensible (as a poet I totally get this), but he also demonstrated great humor in his poems and more often than not I was smiling and quietly chuckling at his audacity when it came to "what should a poem be."
I identified with him. In the introduction, the editor notes that Abbey was a 'one and done' sort of poet, who rarely revised a poem after the second draft, and that has been my own methodology.
I have been inspired by his unique visions, the odd turns of phrase, his bawdiness, his in-your-face personality.
The right poet at the right time.
February 2, 2020
Edward Abbey is best known for fiction and non-fiction, but he dabbled in poetry, writing some in his journals, occasionally submitting some poems for publication (none were accepted). This collection gathers those poems, some quite lovely and sophisticated, a few bawdy and adolescent. Still, the spirit of the man and his philosophy is quite alive in these words and fans of his other work should seek it out.
July 29, 2022
A handful of decent poems, mostly simple, comic and even juvenile verse. But, the collection does provide an insightful biographical glimpse into a major environmental writer, whose novels and nonfiction remains a standard for their high ecological, artistic and prophetic voice. I only wish Abbey had tuned his environmental consciousness toward poetry as well. His best poetry is in his prose, much of it, exceptional. The friendly “Introduction” is also helpful.
March 8, 2024
This book is mostly terrible. Even the forward says so. The bottom line is this: if you're interested in poetry, avoid this book. There were like five pretty good poems, all told. But if you're interested in knowing more about Edward Abbey and his thought, you may find this interesting, although if you're that interested in Abbey already you will only find confirmation of what you already know: Abbey likes two things, sex and the American desert; he hates cities.
July 29, 2020
A este libro le daría un millón de estrellas si pudiera. Edward Abbey y su obra maestra Earth Apples son lo que no sabía que necesitaba y por fin encontré, cada una de las páginas de este libro son mágicas y súper valiosas. Creo que a cualquier persona que le guste o no la poesía le va a gustar este libro.
March 16, 2025
I enjoy poetry and liked the humor in a couple of them, I saved maybe four total. The rest were just okay and others were beautifully written. Three stars just because it was a mix of serious, humorous, and different themes. Also it’s an older book so I didn’t understand all of it probably due to my age.
February 9, 2023
I wish I could give half stars on Goodreads because I would give this book 3.5 stars. I wonder if Abbey intended for these poems to be published? Either way there were some bits I really enjoyed :) thanks caden !!
January 22, 2019
Mixed bag of poems, but overall I enjoyed it, as many of these were the earlier drafts of poems seen in his books
June 28, 2022
Abbey's poetry is sometimes stunning, sometimes crass, and everything between. He is always honest, and hits his target. Whether he hits mine or not, it doesn't matter.
I love when he describes his heart while simultaneously describing parts of nature, and a deep red-rock canyon, or some barren part of nature to be the metaphor for his heart and love.
I love when he describes his heart while simultaneously describing parts of nature, and a deep red-rock canyon, or some barren part of nature to be the metaphor for his heart and love.
maybe
July 13, 2022“Hardcase Survival Pinto Bean Sludge.”
October 6, 2022
As the engraver of Cactus Ed's stone said,
Edward Abbey, No Comment.
Edward Abbey, No Comment.
December 5, 2022
I really, really enjoyed this one. Usually, even books of poetry I enjoy have a lot of poems I don't like very much. But for this one, I liked nearly all of them.
March 9, 2024
Moments of sheer beauty. Amazing writing. Not sure why they chose to end the book with oddly sexualized and depressing pieces. Went from a “keep” book to a “donate” book.
May 16, 2024
Didn't really expect much honestly, but as the foreword says, this isn't really a book of poetry by a poet. It's a book of poetry by Ed Abbey.
August 10, 2025
A couple gems
January 29, 2026
Mostly good poems
These poems are mostly good, though there are some weak ones which don't aspire to much more than verse. The book is worth a read. There are no great poems here.
These poems are mostly good, though there are some weak ones which don't aspire to much more than verse. The book is worth a read. There are no great poems here.
Read
March 2, 2017purty good.
August 7, 2007
Edward Abbey basically rules. The author penned an unsuccesful cowboy novel which I have meant to read for like six years now, and I promise I will one day find it/get to it. However I have read Earth Apples, his book of poems, about seven bajillion times. It's kind of like if Kurt Vonnegut wrote a bunch of poems, and I think the old man would get a kick out of Abbey, whether or not he did I have no idea. I should have asked him when I met him. But back to the point, these little gems, little apples, really are smart and hilarious, and yet you can also find some really beatiful sonnets as well. Edward Abbey, you pretty much rock my socks.
My favorite couplet:
"To the spot where we last made love,
I kiss it where you lay."
I think that's it at least, don't have my copy handy.
My favorite couplet:
"To the spot where we last made love,
I kiss it where you lay."
I think that's it at least, don't have my copy handy.
June 17, 2008
For those who haven't spent time with Cactus Ed, I would imagine this little book will come across as a strange collection of words, random acts of lashing out, looking in and few lost bits of futile romance thrown in for good measure.
But to those who have read enough of Abbey's more significant the book is a backdoor into the almost always contradictory outlooks of the author. His constant battle with the opposite sex, his desire to protect the wide open West while shunning the government and most importantly his desire to be a hardened old hermit while battling his occasional burning desire for companionship.
It's a fun book to read regardless, but to really appreciate the posthumous collection, first go and read Desert Solitaire, The Monkey Wrench Gang, Fire on the Mountain and one or two of the multiple books of essays he graced us with.
But to those who have read enough of Abbey's more significant the book is a backdoor into the almost always contradictory outlooks of the author. His constant battle with the opposite sex, his desire to protect the wide open West while shunning the government and most importantly his desire to be a hardened old hermit while battling his occasional burning desire for companionship.
It's a fun book to read regardless, but to really appreciate the posthumous collection, first go and read Desert Solitaire, The Monkey Wrench Gang, Fire on the Mountain and one or two of the multiple books of essays he graced us with.
April 5, 2014
Book 1: Poems for Judy contains some of the most beautiful, poignant poems about love I've ever read. These poems were written by Edward Abbey for his wife, Judy Pepper, who died of Leukemia at the age of 27. I also loved Ditty, August - 1956 Arches, Last Thoughts While Lost Below Lizard Rocks and Essays on Time.
I want to read more of Edward Abbey's poems however, it says on the back that this book is the only collection of Edward Abbey's poetry that has ever or will ever be published. I wish he'd written more. I might just try to pick up some of his essays to suffice my craving.
I want to read more of Edward Abbey's poems however, it says on the back that this book is the only collection of Edward Abbey's poetry that has ever or will ever be published. I wish he'd written more. I might just try to pick up some of his essays to suffice my craving.
April 9, 2016
This book of mostly poetry and selected poetic verse reflects the life and times of Edward Abbey, one of the first true environmentalists. His early death in 1989 culminated 62 years of living life fully. The poetry reflects his passions--the fate of the earth, and his weaknesses--bawdy living, drink, and women. Confessing to loving as many as four or five women at a time. He married five of them. He met death at the hands of liver failure.
November 7, 2014
I'm not big on reading poetry but Abbey is one of my favorite authors and all around people. You either love him or hate him - I'm in the former group. Worth the read if you are too.
Some of the poems aren't good. Some are wonderful and take me back to the red rocks and canyon country.
Some of the poems aren't good. Some are wonderful and take me back to the red rocks and canyon country.
January 4, 2014
Sometimes funny and sometimes womanizing, but overall pretty unremarkable. But hey, the editor never claimed it'd be great poetry. Was a marginally interesting insight into Abbey's less academic endeavors.
January 25, 2009
Some of these poems I really liked. Some I really disliked.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews