I wanted to love it, but I spent the entire volume feeling disconnected and unengaged. Though I loved his poem "Youth", no other poem made any sort of impression upon me (even upon a second read), and no lines gave me pause. I believe I was a bit put off by the impersonal tone with which he addresses such personal memories; he refers to death as though it's an individual to be name-dropped, as though he writes from a detached journalistic perspective about the loss of, among others, his parents. Though I expected to be affected by poems that explore memories and how they act as shaping influences upon us, instead I remained rather bored throughout. I'm sure my disappointment bears very little weight on a volume so lauded; I just wish I could have got from Merwin's poetry the sheer power others seem to locate within his poems, as I had looked forward to this volume. This one of my poetry benchmarks and individual poems are touchstones and prayers. It is a beautiful book - the poems are luminous, lyrical:You that sang to me once sing to me nowlet me hear your long lifted notesurvive with methe star is fading(from 'The Nomad Flute')There's grief in some of the memories. But the impression I carry away with me whenever I read this books is the joy in crafting these poems, the great compassionate heart that has been poured into the work and the tenderness of it all, even grief.All the stars watch from long agomy mother said I am going nowwhen you are alone you will be all rightwhether or not you know you will know(from 'Rain Light')
Do You like book La Sombra De Sirio (2013)?
An outstanding collection from one of America's most esteemed poets! Enjoyed every one of the poems.
—adeanna
first time reading merwin. this book won the pulitzer prize. very profound.
—Joyce
So many Pulitzer Prize winners, so little time.
—riggs
