Specify Books In Pursuance Of The Collected Poems

Original Title:	The Collected Poems of Theodore Roethke
ISBN:	0385086016 (ISBN13: 9780385086011)
Edition Language:	English
Literary Awards:	National Book Award Finalist for Poetry (1959)

The Collected Poems Paperback | Pages: 288 pages

Define Containing Books The Collected Poems

Title	:	The Collected Poems
Author	:	Theodore Roethke
Book Format	:	Paperback
Book Edition	:	Special Edition
Pages	:	Pages: 288 pages
Published	:	1974 by Anchor (first published 1961)
Categories	:	Poetry. Classics. Literature. American

Explanation Concering Books The Collected Poems

There a several poems by Roethke that I quite like. Once in a while I think he is brilliant. But I've decided I can't read collections of his work. There is too much I don't care for, and too much repetition -- primarily repetition of a mood of self-absorption that gets old fast. Lust, guilt, poor you, whatever. Maybe if you tried actually talking to a woman instead of talking about their bodies and animality and desirability you'd have more luck. Even the poems about his wife (he married in middle age) don't really communicate much about her personality so much as how he was hot for her. Personally, I would not be pleased if my husband described me as a "creaturely creature" or "my lizard, my lively writher." Roethke reminds me just a little too much of those over-introspective, socially retarded guys in grad school and how I had to explain to them why so-and-so was mad at them or such-and-such action would get them in trouble. And then they'd start thinking I was their friend (by which they really meant a recipient of their speech) and I'd have to say things like "Theodore, dude! You really can't write a poem like that to your underage student! Huh? It's okay because she's dead?! Um, I'm not sure that makes it better... I think her parents might be upset... It would really be better if you... What? No, I don't want to hear a poem about how you masturbated by the pond in the woods! No, really, don't tell me about it!" But as I said, there are some great passages, and it is always interesting to how an individual's writing evolves over time. This one reminds me of a slightly darker and dirtier Ogden Nash: The stethoscope tells what everyone fears: You're likely to go on living for years, With a nurse-maid waddle and shop-girl simper, And the style of your prose growing limper and limper. My favorite of the ones I hadn't encountered previously is the first poem in the collection, "Open House": My secrets cry aloud. I have no need for tongue. My heart keeps open house, My doors are widely swung. An epic of the eyes My love, with no disguise. My truths are all foreknown, This anguish self-revealed. I'm naked to the bone, With nakedness my shield. My self is what I wear: I keep the spirit spare.

Rating Containing Books The Collected Poems

Ratings: 4.14 From 4888 Users | 93 Reviews

Assessment Containing Books The Collected Poems

Roethke's historical significance rests both on his established place in the American canon and on his influence over a subsequent generation of award-winning poets that includes Robert Bly, James Dickey, Carolyn Kizer, Sylvia Plath, Anne Sexton, William Stafford, David Wagoner, and James Wright. The other difference between Roethke and other poets of his time is his technique. Roethke is never obscure; he always writes in fresh language, avoiding cliches, although his symbols are indeed

Like any great poet, Roethke gives words to experiences you forgot you ever had. Wonderful collection. Just the poem `What Can I Tell My Bones' can be mind altering.

My favorite poet, hands down. His way with words is stunning. Personal favorite poems include Reply to a Lady Editor, Elegy for Jane, My Papas Waltz, The Geranium and The Saginaw Song. I'm obsessed.

The Awakening is a dream come true. Love this piece.

Roethke is a subtle, brilliant, indispensable American poet.Wish I'd discovered him sooner - great stuff!

A wonderful collection of Roethke's beautiful poetry. Some of his poems are funny, some are serious, all are worth reading. Some of his poems about nature are exquisite.

I suppose the time is right to admit that I had a secret, blazing love affair with Theodore Roethke when I was a student.He showed me bird's tongue orchids, gave dreams of death, and taught me the inexorable sadness of pencils.Theo's been dead since 1963, and my lit profs will be of too advanced an age to be much bothered by my admission.After all these years, his voice jars me like the shattering of a clay flower pot.Our worst moment was when I discovered the phonetic spelling of his surname.