Coming Into Eighty: Poems

"Coming into Eighty," by May Sarton, is a wonderful collection of poems from this prolific writer. Sarton includes a preface in which she reflects on writing poems in the 79th and 80th years of her life. In the preface she also pays tribute to her cat Pierrot (who is also mentioned in some of the poems).Sarton writes with a style that is as clear as a ringing bell, but gentle and often sensuous. The central recurring theme to the book (as indicated by the title) is growing old. But Sarton is not bitter; rather, she is observant and reflective. Other important themes in the book include violence and suffering, love and friendship, and the beauties of the natural world. Her attentive eye captures animals' footprints on newly fallen snow, the flight of a golden finch, the dance of fireflies, and other wonderful things.Some outstanding poems: "December Moon," which is rich in nature images; "After the Long Enduring," about a friend's struggle with AIDS; "The Artist," a delightful piece about an elephant with an artistic talent; "The Scream," which captures an act of violence in the natural world; and "Getting Dressed," about the effort of getting dressed when you're old.In a back cover blurb for the book, Gwendolyn Brooks describes May Sarton as "a woman of magnificent radiance--a Truth-teller!!" I couldn't have said it better myself. For another great collection of poetry that has growing old as a key theme, try Allen Ginsberg's "Cosmopolitan Greetings."

As a 15 year old, it seemed to me a bit curious that May Sarton's book about becoming 80 touched me so deeply. Only later did I realise that May Sarton was pushing forward a very important message--emotions transcend age. Although I deeply wish this anthology had included the poem most dear to me, "Friendship: The Storms", Sarton was able to focus on many other emotions with similar strength. Truly a narrative of emotion, rather than an anothology of poetry, I highly recommend "Coming into Eighty".