The Weather of Words: Poetic Inventions

Mark Strand

ISBN 10: 0375709703 / ISBN 13: 9780375709708

Published by Alfred A. Knopf, 2001

About this Item

First Paperback Edition, November 23, 2001. 142pp. Bright, clean & tight copy, unread, in AS NEW condition. "From the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, a brilliant and witty collection of writings on the art and nature of poetry--a master class both entertaining and provocative. [] The pieces have a broad range and many levels. In one, we sit with the teenage Mark Strand while he reads for the first time a poem that truly amazes him: 'You, Andrew Marvell' by Archibald MacLeish, in which night sweeps in an unstoppable but exhilarating circle around the earth toward the speaker standing at noon. The essay goes on to explicate the poem, but it also evokes, through its form and content, the poem's meaning--time's circular passage--with the young Strand first happening upon the poem, the older Strand seeing into it differently, but still amazed. [] Among the other subjects Strand explores: the relationship between photographs and poems, the eternal nature of the lyric, the contemporary use of old forms, four American views of Parnassus, and an alphabet of poetic influences. [] We visit as well Strandian parallel universes, whose absurdity illuminates the lack of a vital discussion of poetry in our culture at large: Borges drops in on a man taking a bath, perches on the edge of the tub, and discusses translation; a president explains in his farewell address why he reads Chekhov to his cabinet. [] Throughout THE WEATHER OF WORDS, Mark Strand explores the crucial job of poets and their readers, who together joyfully attempt the impossible--to understand through language that which lies beyond words." [publisher copy] "A primer on the magnanimity of poetry, with selected essays, criticism, reflections and inventions. Together they form a creed, which is this: A poem is the unassailable expression of what cannot be expressed in any other way . . . Poetry is ubiquitous and contagious, hilarious and holy; it bewitches children and converts housewives. Few American poets still write with joy and charmed irony, but in Strand the elation has not diminished."--Sara Miller, Chicago Tribune. Handy & pristine paperback w/brilliant corners & crisp edges, a square & tight binding w/no creases in spine. Quite presentable.

Seller Inventory # RUB2548

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Weather of Words: Poetic Inventions
• Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
• Publication Date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0375709703
• ISBN 13: 9780375709708
• Binding: Soft cover
• Condition: As New

About this title

Synopsis

From the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, a brilliant and witty collection of writings on the art and nature of poetry -- a master class both entertaining and provocative.

The pieces have a broad range and many levels. In one, we sit with the teenage Mark Strand while he reads for the first time a poem that truly amazes him: "You, Andrew Marvell" by Archibald MacLeish, in which night sweeps in an unstoppable but exhilarating circle around the earth toward the speaker standing at noon. The essay goes on to explicate the poem, but it also evokes, through its form and content, the poem's meaning -- time's circular passage -- with the young Strand first happening upon the poem, the older Strand seeing into it differently, but still amazed.

Among the other subjects Strand explores: the relationship between photographs and poems, the eternal nature of the lyric, the contemporary use of old forms, four American views of Parnassus, and an alphabet of poetic influences.

We visit as well Strandian parallel universes, whose absurdity illuminates the lack of a vital discussion of poetry in our culture at large: Borges drops in on a man taking a bath, perches on the edge of the tub, and discusses translation; a president explains in his farewell address why he reads Chekhov to his cabinet.

Throughout The Weather of Words, Mark Strand explores the crucial job of poets and their readers, who together joyfully attempt the impossible -- to understand through language that which lies beyond words.

About the Author

Mark Strand was born in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Canada, and was raised and educated in the United States. He has written nine books of poems, which have brought him many honors and grants, including a MacArthur Fellowship and the 1999 Pulitzer Prize for Blizzard of One. He was chosen as Poet Laureate of the United States in 1990. He is also the author of a book of stories, Mr. and Mrs. Baby, several volumes of translations (works by Raphael Alberti and Carlos Drummond de Andrade, among others), the editor of a number of anthologies, and the author of two monographs on contemporary artists (William Bailey and Edward Hopper). He teaches in the Committee on Social Thought at the University of Chicago.