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Show Moab Happenings April 1997 jSfPlRgg lUlH C( National Poetry Month. Back of Beyond Books suggests three ways to . . venture into the world of poetry! s AP1 V iffkllf iUmmtJl: ' Giftoflbngues v years of Poetry from Copper Canyon Press Sam Hamill, editor , ' .. . , Copper Canyon Press, paperback ,$16.00 Twenty-Fiv- e , ' ' , v ' S v and contemporary poetry Canyon Press is dedicated to poetry. Folks interested in good poetry have always been able to count on Copper Canyon Press to publish the best poets in the world, and poets who ' Copper . may otherwise not receive a large audience. The Gift of Tongues draws from more than 150 books and chapbooks and collects poems by some of the most distinguished poets and translators of the last quarter century. Hamill writes, in his fascinating introduction to the book, that he selected poems that moved him, poetry that seems memorable to me in some way. Its obvious this man reveres poetry and the impact it can have on our society. He writes: -- .that is how the gift of poetry works: the gift of inspiration is transformed by the poet into a body of sound which in turn is -given away so that it may inspire and inform another, who in turn adds to the gift and gives it away again. . He credits poetry with bringing an emotional discipline into his own life. T This is a comprehensive work including Japanese, Chinese, Latin American and European writers translated into English and a' generous assortment of contemporary American writers. There are few writers left out (though time are Some omissions I noted), and an anthology such as this is an easy way to introduce a broad sampling of poetry into your library. . J , , , . ' - ' j 5 , -- sr ' Odts to 1 ' Opposite C, Pabio Neruda Bullfinch Press, 522.00 hardcover 1 , -- - ' C - T - T - 5 N i. is k ,v',sr T Hus month if I could only take one book with me to a deserted island it would be Odes to Opposites. Its a collection of classic Nerudas odes but the book is also a visual feast It is beautifully bound, which ' ' is a treat in this day of paperback books, but the real luxury is in the illustrations. The poems are graced with subtle pencil illustrations by artist Ferris Cook, who also selected die poems. The detail and surprise . in the illustrations is as enjoyable as Nerudas poems. The illustrator has fun with die notion of opposites juxtaposing, for example, a robot and a baby doll, a kitchen knife and a dagger and a rose and cornflower. Cook pulls his subject matter from die text of the poem, for example, Ode to My Joy: Joyjgreen leaf resting on the window silltinybrig htnessnewly bommusical elephantdazzling coin .... brings two sketches of toy elephants to the page. Of course, Neruda has as much fun with language as Cook does with his drawings. Neruda has long been my favorite poet and Im glad to see that the 1996 film II Postino gave his work wider popularity. In a country where poetry has to struggle for an audience Im thrilled a film has caused more people to buy the Chilean poets wok. This particular Neruda book is a necessity of ' , life; Id go without groceries to buy it! x . , v' hi; 1 Passionate Hearts The Poetry of Sexual Love Wendy Maltz, editor New World library, $16.00 ' 0 - k. i like ASS IO , - 4 ; " , ; . ' V i,, ' your It is so quilt a new thing. 1 - j .V' v A v. s DA t v r '' ' 1 -- . my body with body. V 1 cummings ! Its always fun to share poetry with someone v : . J 'Sx v you love ) , and this book makes it even more so. .Editor Wendy Maltz says that she sought out poems that inspire and celebrate healthy sexual intimacy; poems in which heart connection was at die core of the sexual experience. 5 t .Because love has decided and made a place ' t t.i Li'h a. Jcslt at nothing; it . undated e' Jr of us. Tess . Gallagher r t hysjrlscasss il-slrr- X s " 'V Raymond Carver Whether a glimpse of lovers painting toenails, slow dancing, swimming in a creek under a full moon or camping in a storm-tosse- d tent, each and every one of theses poems is easy to understand, drawing on the real and simple and experiences of loving another person. This book takes two things people seem to fear most poetry and sex combines them in a delicious, joyful way. Its bound to open doors to communication of all kinds. jl - These featured books are available at Back of Beyond Bookstore The Community Bookstore for all your needs: !pc BOOKSTORE i if f Maps Poetry Guidebooks Green Titles Western Fiction Womens Issues Conversation Mystery Mail Orders Special Orders Gift Advice Good Company Philosophy OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK - 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. P.O. Box 387, 83 N. Main Moab, Utah 84532 (801) 259-515- 4 1 |