The Collected Poems of Wendell Berry, 1957-1982

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Summary: The book that stays on my nightstand
Review: Like a river I love to swim in

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Summary: W.Berry's work comes together beautifully in this collection
Review: The "Collected Poems" of Wendell Berry brings together the vivid imagery of the country, and the beautiful landscape of the community, land, and heart.It is perhaps one of the best modern collections of American poetry. A humble, clear, and heart-sung voice, Berry speaks loudly for the very land which isbeing destroyed by changing American industry. Berry, like his literary equals, Wallace Stegner and Norman Maclean, has a true love of nature, life, and the human experience. It can be considered timely words of conservation and environmentalism, though written decades before. It is a work that is timeless, spanning generations and human differences. Berry's lyrical, rhythmic imagery will leave the reader with meaning well beyond words. Excellent work from an excellent writer.

Rating:
Summary: A Holy Book
Review: This is truly a holy book. In his poems Berry's prose, philosophy, humanity, and concerns coalesce into poems that reinforce every notion you may hold that life and love are truly simple matters. We Americans could do well to slow down from our coffee-jagged cutthroat lifestyles (workdays and weekends included) enough to really listen carefully to this voice.