Winter Stars (Pitt Poetry (Paperback))

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Summary: The beauty of Winter Stars is astounding
Review: In Winter Stars, Larry Levis covers death, relationships and his life with a poetic power that is rarely found in modern poetry. These poems include reflections on the poet's childhood, elegies to his father, and observations on the human condition. But the most powerful poems deal with male/female relationships, especially those which have become strained or have ended. Among the relationship poems are "After the Blue Note Closes" and "My Story in a Late Style of Fire." The first is an eloquent and sad portayal of a man who is with one woman but thinking of another. The latter is a masterpiece. "My Story," with its long lines and intimate tone, almost seems like a psalm--a psalm of disappointment and hope, loss and need. A must have for anyone studying late twentieth century poetry.