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Poetic Word of the Week:
Ghazal
Poetry
Anthologies:
The Norton Anthology of Poetry, fourth ed.
Ferguson, Salter and Stallworthy
W.W. Norton & Company, New York, NY
One of the two most comprehensive collections
of poetry. Used as a reference in
college
courses on poetry (the Oxford Anthology is the
other great collection used). For example: a
book on poetry might cite Eliot's The Waste
Land as O2.1993/N1244; indicating the
Oxford and Norton Anthology numbers for
reference. Covers poetry chronologically from
Gregorian Chant to present day forms.
The Best Loved Poems of the American People
Hazel Fellerman
Doubleday, New York, NY
575 Poems catagorized by theme, and indexed
by author and first line. Ms. Fellerman was an
editor of the Queries and Answers page of the
New York Times Book Review for fifteen years.
The poems in this Anthology represent those
most requested during that time. An excellent
collection of "Poems that tell a Story."
Immortal Poems of the English Language
Oscar Williams
Washington Square Press, New York, NY
Probably the most popular anthology due to
its size (paperback), coverage and cost. 447
poems by 150 poets, indexed by author and
first line; organized by author.
Library of World Poetry
William Cullen Bryant
Avenel Books, New York, NY
A more obscure anthology, strong in older
and more traditional poetry. Organized by
theme, indexed by author and first line.
Considered by some to be the "choicest and
most complete general collection" of poetry
written in the English language.
Limericks
Castle
Castle Books, Secaucus, NJ
If there was ever a book that was the "book
to end all books" on Limericks, this is it. 1700
examples with notes, variants and index.
Perhaps only matched by the Bawdy Bedside
Reader for comprehensive treatment of
this
often maligned form of poetry.
Books:
(top of page)
The Haiku Seasons, Poetry of the Natural World
William J Higginson
Kodansha America, New York, NY
Higginson is considered one of the foremost
authorities on Haiku, Hokku, and Senryu.
This is the book following his famous The
Haiku Handbook: How to write, Share,
and Teach Haiku. Also by Higginson
is his
Wind in the Long Grass, now part
of some
classroom reading programs for elementary
school children. A solid book for anyone
interested in this elegant form of poetry.
The Poetry Handbook
John Lennard
Oxford University Press, New York, NY
The subtitle says it all: "A guide to reading
poetry for pleasure and practical criticism."
This is a real nuts-and-bolts book for those
who want to know all the parts and styles of
poetry. We have yet to find a more
compact,
concise treatment of the subject. All
aspects
of poetry are explored in detail that is easy
to
follow and understand. Examples are
provided for every style and mode imaginable.
Ever wonder about feet, meter, voice, cadence
...or wonder what the heck was a Villanelle?
This is a wonderful and helpful book for
any
serious student of the craft.
Creating Poetry
John Drury
Writer's Digest Books, Cincinnati, Ohio
This is a wonderful "how to" book on
writing
poetry. It contains a great variety of
forms and
prompts the reader/writer to excersize them in
a simple, helpful way that is sure to sharpen
many a poetic pen. It does not try to
replace
inspiration, it simply provides a mechanism for
honing the technique and craft, while expanding
the poets understanding of the art. This
is an
excellent book for the beginning, intermediate
and serious poet.
Dictionary of Eponyms
Martin H Manser
Wordsworth Editions Ltd., Herferdshire, Great Britain
This is a reference book of eponyms:
words
derived from names. This book comes in handy
when the need for double meanings is at hand,
or where the origin of a word is as important
as
its literal meaning. A handy tool for those
who
use or would like to use eponyminous words.
Mother Tongue, English & How It Got That Way
Bill Bryson
Avon Books, New York, NY
Any student of literature, poetry or language
will absolutely love this book. This is one of
those books that is simultaneously entertaining
and educational. Bryson covers the history of
the English language in such a way that anyone
who can read will appreciate the role
fate
played in the way we use our language. More
than just why knife and knight are spelled with
a "K"; find out why we use an "S" to make
words plural.
Poet's Market (by year)
Christine Martin
Writer's Digest Books, Cincinnati, OH
For those interested in getting their work
published, this is the book that tells who
who is
out there, what they're looking for in
the way
of poetry, how they want it submitted, where
and when to submit it. Published
each year with
updated information, it is "the" book on
publishing poetry. Over 1700 listings,
covering
everything from newsletters, contests,
magazines,
books, etc.
The Portable Poe
Philip Van Doren Stern
The Viking Press, New York, NY
What can I say? Poe is my favorite
author and
under-appreciated genius. This particular
book
includes letters written by him and to him,
along
with critical reviews and editorials by Poe.
How
many people realize that Poe was the first
"detective", using his deductive skills to
actually
solve an unsolved murder. Read this book
and
you'll understand more about the man with sad
eyes than you ever dreamed.
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