Reviews for Collected poems [of] Edith Sitwell

The average rating for Collected poems [of] Edith Sitwell based on 2 reviews is 3.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2008-04-15 00:00:00 Tom Hofer I recently read a poem by Edith Sitwell on Poetry Daily and was surprised & charmed by her facile use of language & music. I love the word glycerine in a poem! I had to add her to my to-read list. Portrait of a Barmaid Metallic waves of people jar Through crackling green toward the bar Where on the tables chattering-white The sharp drinks quarrel with the light. Those coloured muslin blinds the smiles, Shroud wooden faces in their wiles— Sometimes they splash like water (you Yourself reflected in their hue). The conversation loud and bright Seems spinal bars of shunting light In firework-spurting greenery. O complicate machinery For building Babel, iron crane Beneath your hair, that blue-ribbed mane In noise and murder like the sea Without its mutability! Outside the bar where jangling heat Seems out of tune and off the beat— A concertina's glycerine Exudes, and mirrors in the green Your soul: pure glucose edged with hints Of tentative and half-soiled tints.

Review # 2 was written on 2011-04-12 00:00:00 Michael Banks I have always liked her poetry. Mostly archaic sounding yet weirdly contemporary. This is an excellent anthology. Hits on all the famous poems -- plus some obscure. Good for the collection. "Within your magic web of hair, lies furled The fire and splendour of the ancient world; The dire gold of the comet’s wind-blown hair; The songs that turned to gold the evening air When all the stars of heaven sang for joy. The flames that burnt the cloud-high city Troy. The mÆnad fire of spring on the cold earth; The myrrh-lit flame that gave both death and birth To the soul Phoenix; and the star-bright shower That came to Danaë in her brazen tower… Within your magic web of hair lies furled The fire and splendour of the ancient world."