American Sonnets: Poems

This book is a great find. I read a lot of poetry and am often disappointed. But this book is a real gem -- not a cut and polished diamond with a cold shine, but a more organic beauty, like pearl or amber or raw emerald. These poems are accessible while at the same time retaining a wonder at the mystery of life. The size of each poem is just right -- about twenty lines or so, and each poem is about the length of one whole utterance or train of thought. I really love that I can hear a real, distinctive human voice in these poems, and not the flatness and lack of emotion you get in a lot of poetry these days, especially if it is written by younger people. Mr. Stern has a wealth of experience, a great memory and imagination, lots of empathy, and an interesting way of saying things. He has used these talents to give us poems that are not simply poems, but experiences.

As a former student of Dr Sterns (way back in the 70's) this book brings back many of my own memories. As Dr. Stern grew up in the coal fields of Pa, the references strike me very deeply as I remember the same things he is writing about. His humor continues to be jacketed in serious thoughts, but just as in class, his brillance shines thur.

This book, from my understanding, is Mr. Stern's first book after his New and Selected Poems, which won the American Book Award. He is an American Master! My wife, who studied under him at the University of Iowa, has been a die-hard fan all her adlut life. Mr. Stern's tough look at the world and soft touch to the heart has won me, a scientist who believes not all things can me explained, over too.