Light-Gathering Poems

VOYA

There is something for everyone to appreciate in this stunning collection for teens. Intended as a companion to Rosenberg's earlier EarthShattering Poems (Henry Holt, 1997/VOYA February 1998), "like all books, this one took on a life of its own." Poems were chosen for their ability to "gather light," some representing beauty, some joy, some fascinating imagery, and some the illusive light at the end of a dark tunnel. Several poets from the first volume make repeat performances here; many others are unique to this collection. Notable writers such as Robert Frost, Walt Whitman, Langston Hughes, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Emily Dickinson, and Allen Ginsberg share the spotlight with contemporaries such as Gary Soto, Kate Schmitt, Mary Oliver, Steven Dauer, and Henry M. Seiden, and with immortals such as Rumi, Omar Khayyam, and Arakida Moritake. Even the 23rd Psalm and the anonymously penned Follow the Drinking Gourd are included. Short biographies of each poet appear at the end of the book. These poems make the mind spin and soak in the breathless power of word palettes applied to the canvas of paper. They are ones to read, to reread, and to read yet again. "Well rounded" is a simplistic though perfect description for this special book, which is satisfying either to read straight through or to browse. Perceptive and mature junior high readers will be able to enjoy this collection, and older teens will truly savor it. Index. VOYA CODES: 5Q 2P J S (Hard to imagine it being any better written; For the YA with a special interest in the subject; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2000, Henry Holt, Ages 13 to 18, 141p, $15.95. Reviewer:DianeTuccillo

Children's Literature - Children's Literature

This collection of poems brings readers images of light from all sources and their words and images reflect the human experience. The poems are gathered from fifty-eight authors who span the ages. Each one contributes to understanding the role and possibilities of light in our lives. The organization of the book is alphabetical by the poet's last name. Rosenberg feels that this emphasizes the notion that each poet is a "shard" of light forming a greater whole. You can pick up and read these poems as the spirit moves or time allows. The biographical notes at the end of the book are a real gift. The suggested readings and notes concerning the author add a personal touch to each poem. 2000, Henry Holt and Company, Ages Youth to Adult, $15.95. Reviewer: Karen Werner

School Library Journal

Gr 7 Up-A companion piece to Earth-Shattering Poems (Holt, 1995), this collection is billed as a "healing answer" to the turbulent nature of the selections in that anthology. Indeed there are some "lighter" themes here, such as lighthouses, summer, beauty, and eternity. Lord Byron's "She Walks in Beauty," Elizabeth Barrett Browning's "Sonnet #43" ("How do I love thee? Let me count the ways"), and Allen Ginsberg's "Sunflower Sutra" are among the inclusions. Some of the other uplifting poems are Amado Nervo's "Ecstacy," Omar Khayy m's "Awake!," and Christina Rossetti's "Hurt No Living Thing." However, some poems have a heavier tone, such as D. H. Lawrence's "Song of a Man Who Has Come Through" and William Stafford's "Learning How to Lose." Overall, the selections gel smoothly, with each poem bringing its own unique voice to the theme and adding its own layer of understanding. The book concludes with 36 pages of biographical notes.-Kristen Oravec, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Strongsville, OH Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.|

Kirkus Reviews

The ancient Hebrew idea of tikkun olan—remaking the world whole—served as inspiration to poet and editor Rosenberg as she gathered in poems for a sister collection to her Earth-Shattering Poems (not reviewed). Taking another old idea—alphabetical order—she remakes this collection using some felicitous pairings. She opens with the anonymous African-American "Follow the Drinking Gourd" and closes with Yeats's merry fiddler of Dooney even unto the gates of eternity. Mary Oliver's "Summer Day" ends with "Tell me, what is it you plan to do / with your one wild and precious life?" followed by Psalm 23, "The Lord Is My Shepherd"; Maria Mazziotti Gillan's holding a butterfly in her hand till it "stained gold" is followed by Allen Ginsberg's "Sunflower Sutra." Lines that come into our lives as natural as breath: "Jenny kissed me," "We were very tired, we were very merry," "I am the master of my fate" are here in their original garb. Structured as it is around images and metaphors of light, this anthology brings refreshment to the spirit. Older readers or those with perhaps a more traditional education will find a lot of old friends here, but familiarity in this case breeds freshness. Biographical sketches of each poet, along with bibliographies that also include non-print sources, are both engaging and useful. (Poetry. 12 +)