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dagray08's review against another edition
4.0
One of the best collections of new poetry that I've read in a long time. Walters' poetry shows an ambitious scope and a sincere love of language. His collection connects the minds of Homer, Shakespeare, St. Francis in a way that is modern. The structure of musical terms combined with an look at the natural world both analytically and spiritually . . .
The poem "Eschatologue" demonstrates this meeting of the spiritual and analytical beginning
"It’s every isle is peopled with Calibans. As many, as earthen as we are, we do speak
Well, we hear stuttering or silence& can get raging drunk on just its music" spoken by a true intellect but one not so intellectual that he forgets to look at the world with wonder.
The tension between the two sides of the mind are also evident in the diction which alternates between prose poetry and metered lines displaying an authoritative voice in both realms.
The poem "Eschatologue" demonstrates this meeting of the spiritual and analytical beginning
"It’s every isle is peopled with Calibans. As many, as earthen as we are, we do speak
Well, we hear stuttering or silence& can get raging drunk on just its music" spoken by a true intellect but one not so intellectual that he forgets to look at the world with wonder.
The tension between the two sides of the mind are also evident in the diction which alternates between prose poetry and metered lines displaying an authoritative voice in both realms.
bobbo49's review against another edition
4.0
I first read these poems two years ago, a gift from cabin-mate and dearest friend Martha, and felt like re-reading them this week to enjoy again the beauty and reverie. Henry's connection to the flora and fauna of the great outdoors - spurred by his training as beekeeper and falconer - comes through on every page.
judithhuang's review
4.0
Henry is a friend of mine from my days on the poetry board of the Harvard advocate, and so read what bias you like into my rating. However, from knowing his work as an undergrad I was thrilled that he had come out with a first collection and immediately got a hold of a copy with high hopes. Those hopes were definitely met with such gems as "From the inside out" and "Milkman" which are able to bring the everyday into the realm of the mythopoetic.
"How frost heaves, or sap runs,
How a bloom or berry plumps to a whole,
How meltwater spreads in the old millpond
Come April (though it takes a while)
From the inside out."
An almost incantory exaltation of minutely observed things, while the indentation echoes the turning motion of "inside out". Quietly stunning.
"How frost heaves, or sap runs,
How a bloom or berry plumps to a whole,
How meltwater spreads in the old millpond
Come April (though it takes a while)
From the inside out."
An almost incantory exaltation of minutely observed things, while the indentation echoes the turning motion of "inside out". Quietly stunning.