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Wild Peculiar Joy: The Selected Poems

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In a world that often feels mundane, where the boundaries of our understanding are constantly being pushed and challenged, there are still moments of wild, peculiar joy to be found. These moments are often unexpected, fleeting, and defy easy explanation. Yet, they are moments that have the power to transform our lives, reminding us of the wonder and mystery that still exists in the world.

The poems in this collection are an exploration of these moments of joy. They are poems that celebrate the beauty of the natural world, the power of the imagination, and the human spirit's ability to find joy in the midst of adversity. They are poems that are meant to be savored, to be read and reread, to be shared with others. They are poems that will inspire you to see the world with fresh eyes, to find the joy in every day, and to live a life full of wonder and imagination.

A Wild Peculiar Joy: The Selected Poems

by Sarah Cooper

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3224 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	384 pages

The Marvelous and the Mystifying

The poems in this collection are often characterized by their use of imagery that is both marvelous and mystifying. The poets draw upon their own experiences of the natural world, their dreams, and their imaginations to create poems that are both evocative and thought-provoking. The result is a collection of poems that are both beautiful and strange, familiar and foreign.

In her poem "The Moth," Jane Hirshfield describes the moment she sees a moth flying towards a flame. She writes:

It flies at the flame, wings beating like a heart, frantic in its need--but a moth's heart is only instinct, not design. It beats
on, knowing only the heat of its hunger, the flame's promise of light--

Hirshfield's poem captures the beauty and mystery of the natural world. She shows us the moth's instinctive desire to fly towards the flame, even though it knows that it will be destroyed. The poem is a reminder that the natural world is full of things that we do not understand, things that are both beautiful and dangerous.

In his poem "The Dream," Li-Young Lee describes a dream he had in which he was visited by his dead father. He writes:

He came to me last night, as he often comes, in a dream, and we talked as we used to talk, of nothing in particular, just
the weather, how the children were ng, the grass that needed cutting. And I could see him clearly--

Lee's poem is a moving exploration of grief and loss. He shows us the power of dreams to connect us to the people we have lost. The poem is a reminder that even though our loved ones are gone, they are still with us in our hearts and in our memories.

The Power of the Imagination

The poems in this collection also celebrate the power of the imagination. The poets use their imaginations to create new worlds, to explore new possibilities, and to see the world in new ways. The result is a collection of poems that are both imaginative and thought-provoking.

In her poem "The Unicorn," Tracy K. Smith describes a unicorn she saw in a dream. She writes:

I saw it in a dream, a unicorn, its mane a waterfall of silver,
its hooves like ivory. It stood in a field of green, its horn
a single, shining star. I reached out to touch it, but it vanished

Smith's poem is a celebration of the power of the imagination. She shows us how the imagination can create things that are both beautiful and impossible. The poem is a reminder that the imagination is a powerful tool that can be used to create new worlds, to explore new possibilities, and to see the world in new ways.

In his poem "The Invention of Wings," Billy Collins describes the moment when he first learned to fly. He writes:

I stood on the edge of the roof, the wind in my hair, and I jumped.
At first, I flapped my arms like a bird, but then I realized that I was actually flying.

Collins' poem is a celebration of the power of the imagination. He shows us how the imagination can allow us to achieve anything we set our minds to. The poem is a reminder that the imagination is a powerful tool that can be used to create new worlds, to explore new possibilities, and to see the world in new ways.

The Human Spirit's Ability to Find Joy in the Midst of Adversity

The poems in this collection also celebrate the human spirit's ability to find joy in the midst of adversity. The poets write about their own experiences of overcoming hardship, loss, and pain. The result is a collection of poems that are both inspiring and comforting.

In her poem "The Laughing Heart," Mary Oliver describes how she finds joy in the simple things in life. She writes:

When I am among the trees, especially the willows and the honey locust, especially when the wind is blowing through the leaves like the ocean,
I have a sense of being free. I can breathe.
And when I am walking along the beach and the waves are crashing around me, I feel as though I am being cleansed,
reborn.

Oliver's poem is a reminder that joy can be found in the simplest of things. She shows us how the natural world can bring us peace and solace. The poem is a reminder that even in the midst of adversity, we can find joy in the simple things in life.

In his poem "Invictus," William Ernest Henley describes how he finds strength in the face of adversity. He writes:

Out of the night that covers me, Black as the pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Henley's poem is a powerful reminder of the human spirit's ability to overcome adversity. He shows us how we can find strength even in the darkest of times. The poem is a reminder that we are all capable of great things, even when the odds are stacked against us.

The poems in this collection are a celebration of the wild, peculiar joy that can be found in the world. They are poems that remind us of the beauty of the natural world, the power of the imagination, and the human spirit's ability to find joy in the midst of adversity. They are poems that will inspire you to see the world with fresh eyes, to find the joy in every day, and to live a life full of wonder and imagination.

A Wild Peculiar Joy: The Selected Poems

by Sarah Cooper

4.1 out of 5