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Synopsis
A new collection by the National Book Award winner and one of America's most beloved poets.
Library Journal
The prize-winning Clifton's many volumes of poetry (e.g., Two-Headed Woman) have long been celebrated for their spirited concern with race, family, female identity, and sexuality. Her latest book, which confronts difficult topics like death, cancer, and the tragedy of 9/11, continues to explore these motifs. But Clifton also addresses a larger issue of the process of learning, that is, how we comprehend abuse and love, "the shape of an unsafe life." In wise, patient language, her poetry searches for the deeper significance of ordinary life. These unadorned, compassionate poems encourage us to move beyond disenchantment and hate to discover all that is marvelous in the world. Despite her "quarrels with/ insignificant life," she concludes that "we have risen away from all that/ wrapped in understanding." Trusting that we are ever preparing for the future, Clifton offers a mature, splendid vision that enables her to find "wholeness/ holiness" and a "flash of silence" in each person's life. Recommended for all libraries. Frank Allen, Northampton Community Coll., Tannersville, PA Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.