On Love

It's apparent that some people find the "Lectures on Love" series of poems forced and prentious. I don't agree that these poems "sound like Hirsch"; instead, I find myself astonished at how varied the voices are-- in addition, I think that Hirsch remains true to the voices of the characters/writers he inhabits. (This is particularly true of the Baudelaire poem.) But the most impressive aspect of these poems in their formal integrity-- and they are very difficult and orginal forms that Hirsch employs! Also, the poem "The Painting of Pan" is fabulous-- it is one of the most unsettlingly sensual poems I've ever read. Check it out.

I must politely disagree with my fellow readers. I enjoyed Edward Hirsch's new book, On Love, completely. This poet, Edward Hirsch, has continued, unabatedly, to define successfully what it means to be human in an often inhumane world. If not for any other reason, I find it important to read his poems for this very reason-- for finding such wisdom has become rare, indeed. And in this collection of poems, as were present in his other books, there are moments of undeniable beauty. I was left speechless by his poem for Amy Clampitt, entitled Iowa Flora, and the poem Blue Hydrangea, among others. I believe this collection of poems to complement his ever-growing and ambitious oeuvre. I would suggest this book to any friend who was interested in reading great poetry in a time when great poetry is more harder to find than ever.

I cannot fathom why someone gave this book one star and I must admit that this review is somewhat of a reaction to that.I have read a lot of contemporary poetry, and often I find that authors become caught up in personal minutiae that detract from rather than add to the progression of thought and feeling throughout their collections. Hirsch avoids that with a pared down style that makes every word add to a building of depth and feeling."Ocean of Grass," for example, is a beautiful villanelle that avoids the trite romanticizing of prairie life and shows hwo harsh life was without succumbing to stereotypes of grizzled sttlers. Hirsch consistently uses forms to enhance the poetry rather than forcing poems into forms. As a student, I have to make careful choices about what books to buy on my limited budget. When considering what to buy I can only afford to buy the books that have lines going through my head all day until I have to look at the poem and marvel over it some more. On Love is one of those books and a worthy addition to any library.