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Rating:  Summary: Great works from a master poet Review: Being a follower of Robert Bly's work maybe I am a bit biased but this is a great collection of old and new poems. He has reached a pinnacle only to make you realize it's just his beginning.
Rating:  Summary: Great overview of Bly's poetry Review: Bly may be better known among many as founder and leader of the so-called men's movement, but he is first and foremost a great poet. This is an excellent retrospective of his work over the years - work that remains quite consistent in style and quality across the decades. I was especially moved by the poems that dealt with the death of his father, and the long poem about Vietnam. The latter was written at the height of that war, and really brought back the sense of intense anger and emotion that gripped the country in those days. This book is highly recommended both for lovers of poetry and those who aren't sure whether they are or not - something for everyone here.
Rating:  Summary: Great overview of Bly's poetry Review: Bly may be better known among many as founder and leader of the so-called men's movement, but he is first and foremost a great poet. This is an excellent retrospective of his work over the years - work that remains quite consistent in style and quality across the decades. I was especially moved by the poems that dealt with the death of his father, and the long poem about Vietnam. The latter was written at the height of that war, and really brought back the sense of intense anger and emotion that gripped the country in those days. This book is highly recommended both for lovers of poetry and those who aren't sure whether they are or not - something for everyone here.
Rating:  Summary: Iron Bly Review: For such a well known name and prolific poet, translator, writer, and all around tough guy, his poetry sure isn't very good. And it is much better performed than on the page. I could go on slamming him and his work, but I'd rather focus on the three poems in the collection that I actually liked."Driving to Town Late to Mail a Letter" This first poem has no meat to it. But it is a nice image, and sort of gives you that warm and fuzzy feeling inside. It's actually short enough to quote it in full here: It is a cold and snowy night. The main street is deserted. The only things moving are swirls of snow. As i lift the mailbox door, I feel its cold iron. There is a privacy I love in this snowy night. Driving around, I will waste more time. see, warm and fuzzy. "Waking on the Farm" This poem is by far the best in the collection. It feels like Bly's attempt at being Frostian. You get a nice image of the farm, and once again Bly evokes a warm and fuzzy feeling. He also gives some great lines: 'how the stubble,/ A little proud with frost' and 'Breathing seemed frail and daring in the morning.' That's good poetry, and it is a shame that more of Bly's work isn't like that. "The Resemblance Between Your Life and a Dog" This poem, my least favorite of the three, but still one I like very much, does just what it says. Compares a person's life with the actions of a dog. It's both funny and a little sad. I'm going to say that you could easily pass on this book. You can find the best of Bly somewhere on the internet and print it up rather than spending the money.
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