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And Short The Season (2014)

by Maxine Kumin(Favorite Author)

4.11 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

0393241009 (ISBN13: 9780393241006)

languge

English

genre

Poetry

publisher

W. W. Norton & Company

review 1: This book came out right around the time of Kumin's death in 2014, and I found myself returning to it throughout the year. I kind of grew up in the elbow of a right triangle linking Kumin and Donald Hall--both lived near my childhood home.But I left. Kumin's evocation of the landscape around her farm in Warner, NH, are nostalgic for me, though I do not love New England as she does. She's exquisite when she hits it, and clunky at other times. But she's given us so much tremendous verse over the years, I'm happy to celebrate the pieces that move me. If some of the poems are a bit heavy-handed, oh well, she's earned it. For instance:Saving is a form of worship: the restored fields,the rescued dogs, the ancient horsesnamed Genesis and Deuteronomy,Eden, Praise Be, Hallalujah, a... morend the farthest fieldsaluting the Greek gods and goddesses,our catholic homage to an afterlifewe like the thought of but don't believe in.(From "The Path, The Chair")ALLOW MESudden and quiet, surrounded by friends--John Milton's way--But who gets to choose this ordered endTrim and untattered, loved ones at hand?--Allow me that day.
review 2: I am not a usual reader of poems, and when I picked up this book, the librarian said "You made my night!" Well, people don't read poems a lot these days, and I believe it takes a lot more patience and sense of appreciation to know these poems. I lack both, so I have to admit that it was a tough read for me. But could not appreciate less the human factor that has been displayed in several aspects of these poems. Be it general disposition, or social comportment, Maxine Kumin has a unique way of bringing those about. Her poems accentuate the role of humanity towards building as well as ruining the society and earth. She beautifully portrays the importance of women and brings about a sarcastic note on the comparison of men and women. It will be a delight for any poem lover. less

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