The People Who Didn't Say Goodbye

I read it seven years ago at the age of 17. I've been a poet since I was 10, but had only envisioned poetry as poetry when it rhymed until Merrit who turned her work loose on me. I read her entire book of poetry in an hour or so (if it took that long... maybe longer). I had checked it out from the library. At the time I picked up her book I was stuck in the forced rhyme stage... producing maybe a good poem here and there. Her book, through a style I was unfamiliar with, was put right in my face. A style I'd never thought of. Never could find but was always looking for. It's a delicate style of experiences spoken almost in the average language with a lot of puns and perhaps raw surprises along the ending... sometimes tossed throughought or just raw truths that pull you in to experience that specific moment. You begin to imagine an entire life that this person went through, perhaps her, perhaps not. Maybe a bit of both. On my own terms I've come a long way since her book. Driven into a style of my own because of Merrit's book. It showed me a new kind of poetry. It's beautiful through its simplicity. Since then her book has given me a need for more poetic food. From that one book I've been led to a path that has kept me from making a mistake most poets make. Trying to re-create a new poem through a previous poem's success. Great poems cannot be a duplicate of another. You can't give one poem the same sound or voice as another or it will fail. The beginning of that failure being the lack in your sincerity. It has to stand on its own--not be a crutch to another poem. Each poem needs your unique devotion. It's a love affair with each one! If you're cheating then it will never truly feel like a poem to those who care about their work. It will be like an out of tune key on a piano that just keeps rubbing you the wrong way. A bad itch. So although I love Merrit's work, her book has shown me that I don't have to duplicate her voice, but find my own. Her style is her style and that's what makes her book so fantastic. She created her own concept of poetry. So now when anyone asks who my favorite poet is... it's not hard to find an answer. Her book of poetry is the only book I've found that's amazing in its entire volume. Since then I've still only found tidbits here and there... a poem here and there that I like from each poet. Never an entire volume of work like I found in Merrit Malloy's work. For years I was snoozing when I read poems wondering why I was so bored... then I caught sight of her book and found it was all in the style of poetry and most poetry is boring! Which is why it's so great when you can actually find a poet that can write more than maybe 2-3 poems that you love! It's rare.

I had no idea who Merrit Malloy was until I read this book on my sisters desk, I've been writing poetry ever since. The words written here are from the heart of every woman and are captured perfectly. I'm now trying to publish my own work mainly inspired by her style and type of writting. It's everyday common sense poems let me know that someone else is feeling the same things I am. Most people I know that love Malloy's work are older of the 60's and 70's generation. I'm only 20 and esteem her with poets like Frost and Whitman. So you now know the Mtv generation loves your poems as well as everyone else. Thank you.

I bought this book, and Merrit's book, "My Song for Him Who Never Sang for Me" Both were very inspiring and had a lasting effect in my life. Unfortunately, both books were lost in a fire. I'm desparate to find another copy of each. If you have one, or if you know where I can get one, please e-mail me at "[email protected]". Two of my favorite poems were, "The Maintenance Man" and a poem about a "Flight at JFK". If I could even get copies of those two poems, I'd be so delighted. Thanks.

She is the bomb. Creative, deep, whimisical, intelligent, I honestly have never read better poetry. Her words transend unexaplanable emotions and experiences to light. Buy this book

I purchased this book in the 1980's and have re-read it many times. Each poem is honest and of the heart. As I get older and my situation changes, I find each poem takes on new meaning and offers new interpretation. I wish Merritt Malloy was still writing these kinds of books.