Bookshelf Tour: Poetry 

Awesome! I have been to Poland many times, mostly Wroclaw. One day, I was in the Sofitel eating at their restaurant, which is called...Pan Tadeusz...while reading...Pan Tadeusz. It was a great moment. I've read Solaris by Lem! But that's it. So far.

Yes, I have a 10-year-old daughter. This collection sounds wonderful! I'm ordering it right away. Thank you!

Hahaha! Your shelf sounds like mine at work!

I am a very grateful reader. It’s a joy to share it with you all.

My pleasure! Happy reading!

Very nice of you to say! In fact: next week’s video will be about 2020 and 2021.

I actually thought you said "This is a tremendous gift to end this nice year in a horrible way", and when i realized that, i lol'd.

😂😜

It’s a great pleasure, my friend!

Hope you enjoy it!

Thanks! I’ve got Milosz on the list. Time to buy an omnibus.

My pleasure! 🙏

I’m glad you found me, too! It’s a pleasure. All my best to you and happy holidays!

My small rec would be some Czeslaw Milosz!

Thanks so much! Enjoy your reading!

Thanks so much! I’m added Lorca and Mandelstam to the list! Borges - I actually do have his complete poetry but it was on my bedside table when I made the video. Glück - just got a volume of her poetry in the mail today thanks to comments like yours!

I have and have read Dark Night of the Soul, but not the poetry. Thanks for these suggestions. Next week I will post a video asking for suggestions on what to do on the channel next year, so I will note yours down now.

Seconded to Jeffers. An utterly singular and uncompromising American voice.

I am not very widely read in poetry, but I do think it’s the highest form of expression after music. Hope you get some good suggestions out of this video!

@@LeafbyLeaf I'm working on the Chaotic Age of Bloom's Western Canon as a guide and I'll revisit this video as a nice survey for some of those. If you were looking for new additions, I'd suggest Love Poems (or Transformations) by Anne Sexton, and Frail Sister by Karen Green.

I have Anne Sexton’s complete poetry. But I’ll snatch that other suggestions. If you’re using Bloom to work through poetry, then I doubt you’ll find anything of note in my video (except perhaps Theroux). 😁

I’m one of those who’ve only read The Bell Jar. 😳 All the others you’ve cited are the ones that I go to in my anthologies. After making the video I realized I had an anthology of English romantic poetry on my bedside. Thanks!

It is among my most favorite poetry. As silent as a mirror is believed... The mind brushed by sparrow wings... And rum was Plato in our heads...

Thanks for the recommendation of Polish poetry--I want to explore more Polish literature in general. As for American laureates, of course, I do like Tracy K. Smith, but I need to expand. Thanks so much for this!

Thanks for the tip on the Maalouf book! Reading Khayyam is...nourishing.

Thanks! I've been considering a video of Pope's major work: "The Dunciad," "The Rape of the Lock," "An Essay on Criticism," "Essay on Man." So many books/poems, so little time!

Great! Bloom indeed reveres jazz (Parker and Bud Powell especially) and cited it as America’s true contribution to the arts. There are some great interviews on RU-vid where he talks about Whitman and Powell. I also love jazz and keep it playing on the record player in my library. Happy New Year

Oh, and thanks for the recommendations! Sounds like you’re putting the insomnia to good use at least. Hang in there.

So glad to hear you’ve been inspired! For a deeper understanding there’s no better investment than to take the time to dig I to these foundational books. Ultimately they will lead to a better experience with contemporary stuff! Happy New Year to you!

@@LeafbyLeaf Thank you, I will! No need to rush and I'm a slow reader anyway^^

Sounds like you married the perfect woman! Thanks for the recommendation. For some reason I haven’t read any Auden.

Thanks so much for the rec!

I think it’s close to the beginning of the video, but I have a hardcover of the complete Basho. Thanks for these other names!

@@LeafbyLeaf oops! i must have been distracted. If you have Basho, then you have everything.

Thanks so much!

Grazie, Marina! It just occurred to me that all my quips about Sexton and Theroux were actually meant for Rich and Theroux. I really thought I had a volume of Rich. Plath is popping up a lot. Having only read The Bell-Jar, I need to branch out into her poetry. Mandelstam I remember reading Bolaño talk about. Again: thanks!

@@LeafbyLeaf thanks!

In fact, it has grown so much that I had to buy another bookcase and move the collection out of the built-ins! I seriously owe you all a booktour video.

@@LeafbyLeaf omggg i am thrilled! can't wait, thank youu

Yes! I love Crane. “The mind brushed by sparrow wings.”

Hart Crane is weird

Yes, Crane is prime. Thanks for the recommendation! Any particular translation? (I wish I could reading Portuguese.) Obrigado!

@@LeafbyLeaf unfortunately not much of her work is available in english, but there is an edition translated by Billie Maciunas. De nada!

Hey, thanks so much for the suggestions. I will check out Factotum. Definitely don’t want to write someone off based on one work. Thanks!

Bukowski is one of those who can say a lot with a little. And good recommendations. Factotum is one of my favorites.

Thanks for affirming the recommendation!

Oh, and check out Delmore Schwartz and Cyrus Console.

Thanks so much for this list! Berryman has been on my radar for a while. And I have a prose work of Edson’s I need to dig into.

Hey, Steve! I knew you were a Rilke fan. Thanks for the tips on those other translations. The reason I don’t have someone like Wordsworth in standalone if probably because I get my fill in the English verse anthologies. But I should branch out. Funny story: I nearly got my PhD at ODU but a strange twist out me off it. Glück I really need to check out given the recent accolade. Thanks for Hall and Kenyon too.

@@LeafbyLeaf of course, that makes sense given what you mentioned in the video. I am a Wordsworth junkie probably like you are a Blake junkie. As a love or romantic poets as well, I arrived there via WW. So many others by Blake, my best friend for instance. I recall you mentioning something about about a PhD program in VA and thought it might be ODU. Would be curious to learn more offline!

@@LeafbyLeaf oh! I forgot to mention, I lived on and off in the Norfolk area for nearly 25 years with the Navy... very familiar with ODU.

I think I remember you saying that at some point. I spent a lot of time in Chesapeake and Virginia Beach but only Norfolk a few times. Just bought a collection of Glück poetry by the way.

@@LeafbyLeaf fantastic! Which one? The tidewater area is funny. There are clear divides between the 7 cities and everyone has their loyalties. Mine was to the Ghent area of Norfolk, and of course Prince Books downtown. But many of my friends and peers were in the Va Beach and Chesapeake areas for the schools. Very cool, small world.

Haha, if you look closely you’ll see that my cummings was sandwiched between Rilke and Yeats and got overlooked in the video! I, too, love the inventiveness of his poetry!

Thanks so much! Vallejo’s complete works is on the way now. Of the others, I remember reading a lot of commentary about Parra in Bolaño’s Between Parentheses. Keep the recommendations coming! (By the way, I just read my first pieces of Osvaldo Lamborghini. Are you familiar?)

@@LeafbyLeaf Vallejo's gonna blow you away and it's a great choice having his complete works since he has very distinct phases, each one amazing, he starts with a modernist style but by his second collection he obliterates language in a way most poets still trynna fogure out to this day. Of course Bolaño likes Parra, he's a very particular poet with a very particular and funny style! Havent read Lamborghini but after a quick google search I can see that Cesar Aira endorses him and recognizes his influence so imma give hom a read, shat did you think of his poetry?

Sweet! The Vallejo will be here tomorrow. I’ve only read the two short stories of Lamborghini that are forthcoming from Sublunary Editions. I don’t think anything else is in English yet. He was apparently Aira’s mentor.

VALLEJO PARRA

Thanks for dropping by and giving recommendations, Emma! All my best to you.

I must say that it is so cool to see other people also enjoying Edith Södergran. She is one of my all time favourite poets! I also thought the biographical film 'Landet som icke är', named after one of her poetry collections, presented her just magnificently.

It’s the beauty of the reading community!

The Great Red Dragon and the Woman Clothed by the Sun? Glad you found me. Carpe librum!

Thanks so much for this, Focaminante! I’ve been eyeballing those Latin American poetry and short story anthologies for a while. I have not read Lautréamont for some reason. I remember Bloom commenting on RPW a lot. Adding these to the cart!

I remember reading a biography of Ezra Pound a couple years back (something about the bug house) and it really stimulates my interest in Berryman, Dream Songs in particular. Thanks!

Wag

Thank you so much, Miss Jenny! 🐣🐥

He is magnificent! I also have his Zibaldone-one day I will finish it; though it’s sort of like Montaigne; you don’t really ever finish it. Yes, I’ve read the whole of the Commedia, but for my little series I just focused on Inferno. Glad there’s someone like you taking this time to present such a literary pillar!

@@LeafbyLeaf Great - I’ll watch your series on Inferno today.

You’re in luck-it’s just one video!

It's on the horizon with my Western Core series! Moby-Dick is my favorite American novel, bar none. Check out my video on Jean Giono's MELVILLE too. All my best to you!

@@LeafbyLeaf Will do. Thanks! Also, as far as poetry goes, I recommend you check out The Incognito Lounge by Denis Johnson.

Auden, Donne, et al. are in my various anthologies, but you're right to point out the infraction. I should have separate volumes of them. Larkin is high on my list!

I've read and own editions of all of those except the Book of Songs. In one of my old Q&A videos, I show and talk about my gorgeous slip-cased edition of the Shahnameh. Tao Te Ching I've savored for year and years, and it is actually in my philosophy section. For some reason my Beat poetry anthology was erroneously shelved with my short story anthologies. Thanks for the rec on the Shi-Jing!

I think I spent half a year reading Rimbaud almost exclusively.

@@LeafbyLeaf he was part of a gang i read for at least 5 years (miller was another)

Agreed! If it didn’t turn up in this video, that’s an oversight. I have had a volume of his collected works for years.

Thanks for the nudge and the suggested starting point!

The idea that I’ll never be able to read all the greatest poets in history is a little distressing to me. I’ve never read O’Hara, unfortunately, but I’ve read Mayakovsky. “Past One O’Clock” is my favorite poem by him. I just read a delightful article about someone who found out about O'Hara's work on a social media app (the same happened to me). I added “Meditations in an Emergency” to my reading list. www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/22/i-always-felt-i-wasnt-clever-enough-for-poetry-but-this-was-like-making-a-new-exciting-friend

“So many books, so little time.” This reality is something I’ve often grappled with myself. And it is why I am so selective about what I choose to read. But, on the other hand, it means we will be able to spend a lifetime reading great literature! Thanks for sharing this.

🇵🇱🇵🇱🇵🇱

I have not read Celan--yet--but I did get a copy of "Memory Rose into Threshold Speech"; had to place a reserve on the other volume, "Breathturn into Timestead," since the publisher is out of stock and I can't find an affordable used copy. From what I know, I agree with you--I'm going to love Celan.

You might also like Paul Eluard

Hey, now that sounds like something I’d like! I’ve heard of that one but I don’t have it. Thanks!

I know exactly what you mean. I didn't "take to" poetry for quite a while myself. And I haven't read much on reading poetry, but I'll give you advice from my own experience since it sounds similar to yours. In general, there is a poet/poem out there waiting for you to discovery it as your gateway into the greatness of the poetic world. For me, it was Emily Dickinson. But I had to read through a lot of poetry that just sort of passed before my eyes without latching onto my soul first. With Dickinson, something opened up before me. I *felt* the poem more than I *read* it. These were the exact words necessary to express a feeling from one person to another. To my mind, the only books I've read about reading poetry is Terry Eagleton's How to Read a Poem, Harold Bloom's The Art of Reading Poetry, and William Empson's Seven Types of Ambiguity (not directly on how to read a poem, but this increased my understanding of the possibilities of poetry). There are probably others. Usually there are introductions to collections of poetry that will lend advice. With poetry, the poet has been stirred by something and is desperately trying to use the superficiality of language to convey it to another person. Seems obvious, but it is extremely difficult to do well, and when it is done well the reader feels it too. In terms of practical advice: read the poems aloud in a clear, strong, loud voice. Go somewhere where you can be alone and chant the poems out load. From the very origins of verse, this is how it was done. Poetry is music at its heart. To sum up: Read through a bunch of different poetry and when you seize on something that stirs you--take it somewhere and read it aloud over and over. Eventually something will click and you'll have a guiding light that will compel your hunger and search for "the click" again and again. Hope this helps in some way.

@@LeafbyLeaf Thank you, Chris, for your thoughtful response. I deeply appreciate it. Who would have thought that reading aloud was so essential to poetry. I remember an interview that Borges gave where he expressed the same idea, saying that those who have never read poetry aloud have not really felt the joy of poetry. The irony lies on the fact that "reading aloud" is usually frowned upon in traditional school systems. I'll give it a try. Your response has definitely enticed me to push on and keep on looking.

Excellent, excellent!

Dziękuję! Mickiewicz is the extent of my Polish poetry, but I’ve read Mrożek (Tango), Schulz (Crocodiles), Lem (Solaris), and Conrad (if that counts). I appreciate all of your suggestions, as I do need to expand my Polish literature. Someone told me about an old Polish work about the Undivine Comedy (playing on Dante) but I cannot remember anything else.

Silverblatt put him on my radar too! Haven’t read him yet either though.

“a poem must burn with a truth seeking flame and be a symphony of language “ Henri Cole

Glad you enjoyed it, even though I suppose I really didn’t say much of worry about anything. Lol!

Have a swig of Tullamore Dew?

I suggest getting anthologies of the general type of poetry you want to read, and then read through it and note what you are drawn to more than what you are not. Then dig into more poetry like the poems that spoke to you. With poetry (I've found) it is about reading widely to find what connects with you--there will be a moment when a poem open up the world and purpose of poetry to each of us. Hope that helps!

@@LeafbyLeaf thank you, i geuss i will have to search around a bit.

In general, what type of poetry are you interested in? American? Latin American? Renaissance? Etc.

​@@LeafbyLeaf well, i´ve been reading alot of american Literature. i would like to read some english- the obvious being shakespeare, although i plan to watch some of the movies made before hand. although not exactly poetry i intend to read True hallicatinations by terrence mckenna.

I would grab The Oxford Book of English Verse and Bloom’s anthology of English poetry. Then just pick around and see what draws you in.

I'm familiar with (and love) Cavafy, Rilke, Ashbery, Borges, and Pessoa. Thanks so much for these recommendations!

Top shelf.

"Tam o' Shanter" is in my anthology of English Verse!

Thanks! Stoner is such a treat. My Miller starter recommendation would be good ole Tropic of Cancer (which was also my first).

That is quite an assertion! 😮

On it!

Borges too!

No, I haven't. Thanks for putting this on my radar!

Thanks so much for the recs!

@@LeafbyLeaf Also Geoffrey Hill.

🙏

You can!

I have yet to read Larkin! But it won’t be long now.

@@LeafbyLeaf highly recommend Aubade as a starting point

I think I’m going to get this volume of his complete poems. Thanks for the nudge! I know DFW revered Larkin’s poetry.

Oh, actually I have the complete Borges (short stories, poetry, and essays) but it’s on my bedside table along with my anthology of English romantic poetry. Didn’t think of bringing those in until after the video. Thanks for those other suggestions!

Phew! For a moment there I thought you'd missed a significant contributor to Spanish Letters....

Like a lot of people, I came to Borges via Ficciones and was instantly hooked for life. I said that I had the book on my bedside table as if it was one book but it is three different books (the Penguins).

Thanks! Shelley is one of those whom I read in my anthologies. I also have an anthology on my bedside that I forgot about that highlights Shelley. But, you’ve correctly pointed out that it’s time to invest is a more robust collection and commentary on his poetry and prose writings (most of the latter of which I’ve gleaned from Bloom).

@@LeafbyLeaf Yeah bloom got me interested in his works, most of my literary taste other than my taste for science fiction comes from Bloom getting me excited about literary classics. He is a very powerful poet, check out The Triumph of Life a lesser-known poem but it is one of the most sublime you will read.

I’m going to get this Norton paperback of his complete poetry and prose. Thanks for the push!

Frank Bidart, yes; the others, no. But I'm going to be reading a lot more poetry this year, beginning with Atsuro Riley (I'm loving his lines!).

@@LeafbyLeaf Nice! If you do get around to Levis, I would suggest "Winter Stars" or "Elegy." If you're only going to read one then go with "Elegy." Stanford's magnum opus is "The Battlefield Where the Moon Says I Love You." His shorter works are really great too, though. I just discovered your channel and I love it!

Sorry for the juxtaposition. Those are just the two writers that that particular friend and I always talked about. You know my feelings on Henry Miller!

J'adore Mallarmé ! Not sure why my copies of Apollonaire, Verlain, Mallarmé, et al., weren't on my shelves when I recorded this. My latest French find is Pierre Reverdy!

Thanks, Señor Bolaño! 😁

I am indeed. Some of my favorite auteurs are Ingmar Bergman, David Lynch, and Michael Haneke. Kubrick, Wook Park, Antonioni, and Nolan.

@@LeafbyLeaf Ah nice man, well then I highly recommend Terrence Malick, I think he's right up your alley. The Tree of Life is so good, I think it even rivals the great novels

Ohhhhhh, I LOVE that movie so much! The first time I watched it I was stunned, paralyzed, in a stupor in my couch long after the credits rolled.

@@LeafbyLeaf Ah sick dude!!! I rarely meet people who've seen Malick's work. So good!!!

I know a lot of people who’ve seen Thin Red Line, but it’s rare that I meet someone who has heard of-let alone seen-Tree of Life. Just when I thought it couldn’t expand any more, it hit me with the dinosaur scene. Mind blowing.

I’ve read Hardy pieces in anthologies, but I should invest in more. Larkin I’ve been hearing about for a long time. Thanks for the push!

Other than "don't go gentle into that dark night" I'm not sure what else to say. :)

"Rape and rebellion in the nurseries of my face"

I live to give! 👊

I know, right!