Top 500 Poems
The Top 500 Poems
More historical poems than last century poets. Many well-known poets. I was hoping it was similar to a poety book my Dad had that I enjoyed growing up, but it wasn't. Still, I spend quiet time reading to my dogs before bed and having some good quiet time.
A BOOK TO GROW OLD WITH
This is a book to be comfortable with. Consider how closely connected one to another all the famous poets are. It's good of God to keep all the most gifted people moving in the very smallest of circles, so they'll be easy for the rest of us to locate; He doesn't bother bestowing talent where it won't be recognized: on starving children, for instance (you'll learn that from James Merrill, if you listen carefully). The book contains notes by Mr. Harmon, wherein he repeats for us what his educators repeated to him about each poet and poem; there's a dedication to Mr. Harmon's daughter, who matters tremendously; and there's even a special thanks to "all the poets, critics, and editors whose judgment has propelled these works into the position of the `Top 500 Poems!'" This is a book for bedside tables; all that's missing is some sort of wake-up call.
A gathering of friends and favourites
Yesterday, I needed to find a copy of Robert Frost's `Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening' in order to make sure I was correctly quoting the last verse.
There are a number of books I could have turned to, but this particular book was my first choice. I bought this anthology, about 15 years ago, because I was intrigued to know which poems would be included and on what basis. In a delightful editorial note, William Harmon writes that these are the most anthologized poems in English.
The time span (based on the birth of the poets) is from 1250-1350 (approx) for the anonymous author of the `Cuckoo Song' to 1932 for Sylvia Plath, author of `'Daddy'.
A favourite poem? That will depend entirely on mood and audience. While the Emily Bronte poem included `Remembrance' is not my favourite of hers (my heart has long since been given to `No Coward Soul is Mine') it is another of her passionate, stirring poems. Yesterday, I enjoyed `Ars Poetica' by Archibald MacLeish which starts:
`A poem should be palpable and mute
As a globed fruit.'
But the poem I was searching for in the beginning ends this way:
`The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.'
I recommend this anthology highly to those who would like one collection of significant English poems. May you find, as I did, both old acquaintances and new friends within its pages.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
a fine collection
it delivers what it promises; perhaps a few more words of commentary would have enlightened it further.
Best of the Best, Window on Poiesis
Who besides Shakespeare are the poets who resonate down tbe ages. Read On McDuff and find out.This anthology of the most anthologised deserves to be in every library.
(18 reviews)
