An Introduction to Poetry Book

An excellent resource for the serious poet who wishes to learn or return to the basics. Written in the format of a textbook, this 716 page book includes chapters on Poetry: Reading a Poem, Listening to a Voice, Words, Saying and Suggesting, Imagery, Figures of Speech, Song, Sound, Rhythm, Closed Form, Open Form, Symbol, Myth and Narrative, Poetry and Personal Identity, Translation, Recognizing Excellence, and What is Poetry? There is also a section on Writing: Writing About Literature, Writing About a Poem, and Critical Approaches to Literature. I particularly enjoyed the section on Poems for Further Reading, the biographies of several major poets, and a glossary of literary terms. For those who are ambitious (or are taking a poetry class), there are writing and reading assignments sprinkled throughout the book. If you are looking for something to read over the weekend or during the summer, this is NOT a book for you. This is a reference keeper, something to be read slowly, or referred to again and again. A global versus national or regional view of poetry. My only complaint would be that I would have enjoyed seeing more Canadian content. At least Margaret Atwood was included with two poems.