Earth-Shattering Poems

Children's Literature - Gisela Jernigan

In the introduction to this anthology of poetry for young adults, the editor explains that she chose poems "that speak most powerfully to our most intense experiences and emotions-hence the title, Earth-Shattering Poems. The poems are arranged chronologically by the birth dates of the poets and come from a wide variety of times and cultures, and from very famous to lesser-known writers. An especially useful and interesting twenty-page section at the end offers biographical information on the poets and suggestions for further reading. Author and First Line indices are also included.

VOYA - Judy Ehrenstein

These fifty-five poems have shaken the world of editor and poet Rosenberg, either by speaking to the intense emotions and experiences of love, anger, grief, and wonder, or by shattering her sense of time and place. Arranged chronologically, the collection begins with a poem by the Greek poet Sappho and includes works from Keats, Whitman, Dickinson, and Hughes, as well as poets who wrote in languages other than English, and brings in poetry from Japan, El Salvador, the Spanish Civil War, and the Stalinist period in Russia. Two contemporary American poets, Kate Schmitt and Margaret Menges, see their first published works in this volume. The poems vary in length and form, and as examples of the introduction's mention of music lyrics as poetry, several Spanish and one Yiddish folk song are included. Some poems speak immediately to the reader; others require deeper study or might continue to elude; all this, says Rosenberg, is expected: "[l]ike a great song, or, really, any work of art, it either hits you or it doesn't." The biographical notes section includes formative experiences from each poet's life and quotes about poetry. Titles for suggested reading follow each biographical sketch. Other poetry collections of interest, including those specifically for children and young adults, plus several books on writing poetry, make up the final section of the book. The voice in the introduction and in the "other books that may be of interest" section seems to waver between addressing the young adult reader and the adult who will guide YAs to this poetry. This does little to diminish the power of the poetry, which, in this slim volume, will speak to many readers of all ages. Index. Further Reading. VOYA Codes: 4Q 2P J S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses, For the YA with a special interest in the subject, Junior High-defined as grades 7 to 9 and Senior High-defined as grades 10 to 12).

School Library Journal

Gr 7 UpWith the poets represented here, it would have been hard to put together a less-than-stellar anthology of poems deemed "earth shattering." Each one of the selections hits upon some incident or emotion that will prompt serious thought, insight, or wonder. Forty-one poets are included, in chronological order, from the enigmatic Greek, Sappho, to contemporary poets. These poems run the emotional gamut from joy and love to sorrow and rage. Whether it be the words or rhythm, or the unique events described, each one contains some essence of "earth shattering" awareness, followed by an aftershock. Some fine examples are Langston Hughes's "Harlem," Pablo Neruda's achingly beautiful "If You Forget Me," and John Keats's examination of a "warm and capable" human hand. Other poets include William Blake, Matthew Arnold, Emily Dickinson, Greg Moglia, J.E. Wei, and Kate Schmitt. Some of the poems are more effective than others, but, then, some seem more "understandable" on the surface. Each one, however, leads readers into the wider world of poetrywhether through African-American poetry, Native American chants, a Hebrew folk song, or other forms. A well-rounded introduction that expresses the emotions of a variety of people as well as different styles of poetry throughout centuries.Sharon Korbeck, Waupaca Area Public Library, WI