52 Ways Of Looking At A Poem: or How Reading Modern Poetry Can Change Your Life

Super book

good service and good book. I have helped my friend to buy this book which is helpful to her study.

In autumn, I start a creative writing course with the Open University. One of the assignments is to write an 80-line poem. I know you out there who dash off a daily Sonnet or Etheree ( yes I had never heard of it before either )wonder what all the fuss is about.Well the fuss is that the last poetry I studied was back in 1977-8 when I started but didn't complete English A' Level ( I decided that living on a commune where naked women -some hippie idea of moon cycles- gardened was the better option... and dear reader it was!) And frankly apart from the last few weeks, I have not written poetry since the 60's which was for some Cadburys Chocolate writing competition which I won but then so did the entire class. Clever marketing rather then good writing one suspects.This is a poem I put together after reading this book:He came not wearing black butdressed as lover'swould; finery to pleasure.My drought watered as ona first lover's glanceand kiss. Now my last.He holds my hand while nurseshakes me out of mylong sleep in the white night.I'm so ready for our dance.Yes I know but it takes time to learn- this is only my 4th poem ever!. Thanks to 52 Ways of Looking at a Poem by Ruth Padel, I now know that this 50-word poem is a free form (1) syllabic (2) verse with rhythm maintained by the use of enjambment (3) and an underlying 7-5-7 syllabic beat within an irregular 4 stanza form(4). And that it leans to metaphorical expression through the voice of an old woman. See what happens when you read Poetry books.British readers may recognise Ruth Padel from her long since axed Independence on Sunday poetry section where she published a modern poet's poem and then explored a way of reading or understanding it. This book pulls together 52 of those articles and introduces the reader to the who and what of modern English Poetry.I hadn't heard of one of the poets(no sniggering in the back please) so the book enabled me to read and catch a flavour of poetry today that... lifts the veil from the hidden beauty of the world, and makes familiar objects be as if they were not familiar.Read this book and then say modern poetry is so elitist and obscure.(1) meaning no set metre or end rhymes(2) meaning you count the syllables rather then the stresses(3) meaning the line or phrase carries over on the next(4) meaning verses

This analysis of a poem a week for a year is very helpful if you want a better understanding of the way that modern poetry works. I found the concentration on word sounds within a poem particularly revealing although sometimes the analysis seemed stretched.There is so much to be gained from close reading of a poem apart from just meaning especially if you are learning the craft yourself.

This is an amazing book. You'll never look at poetry the same way again.As a student, it's invaluable in showing me how to look at forms and ways with words, but it is clear and accessible to anyone interested in poetry.Even if you find you don't really like a particular poem, you'll be amazed at how much is going on in the background of that piece of writing, and you might even change your mind about it afterwards.A really good read, just not all in one go or you'll be overwhelmed!

I think this an intriguing, informed and accessible book/collection.I love the presentation and style which gently and firmly guides the reader.I admire hugely Ruth Padel's breadth and depth of knowledge and also the way she entwines this around the poems of others.I took it on my recent holiday to China. Perhaps an incongruous choice, but somehow its expansion for me was in a different sphere from the expansion experienced in this immense country, through which I was travelling, and served to ground me in a different and complimentary way.The format of the book makes it an confortable companion, yet its content challenges and stirs and teaches.Because there is so much to learn and understand (but not overwhelmingly), I have already re-read parts, and will do so for some time.As someone who grew up in Ireland I was struck by the contribution of Irish poets to recent and contemporary poetry. I knew something of this, but not much. This and the wonderful, erudite analysis of words and rhythms involved in the poems chosen, and the subtety conveyed, really engaged me.It has made me more interested in and eager to understand even more about the development and importance of poetry.I have already recommended it to my spouse, and two days ago to my ex-English teacher, now in her eighties, living in Belfast. I.m looking forward and have also bought "The poem and the Journey". I will be taking it along to our small reading group next week.Maybe I'll get the chance to do a workshop with the author some day!

just perfect!

Here was I thinking that the art of poetry was dying! Clearly it's alive and well.The format of the book - a poem a week - is also original and effective and the literary analysis is top-class. A real find.