book reviews

Reviews of the best poetry books, collections and anthologies; discover poems and up-and-coming poets across all cultures, genres and themes.

Shadows Hold Their Breath By POET Emily Dickinson
When it comes, the Landscape listens — Shadows — hold their breath — When it goes, 'tis like the Distance On the look of Death —
By abdul4 years ago in Poets
Seal Despair
None may teach it — Any — 'Tis the Seal Despair — An imperial affliction Sent us of the Air — These lines are from a poem by Emily Dickinson titled "There's a certain Slant of light." The poem explores the emotional impact of certain kinds of light. The lines you have quoted suggest that the experience of despair cannot be taught or explained but is instead an "imperial affliction" that seems to come from the air itself. The phrase "None may teach it - Any - 'Tis the Seal Despair" suggests that despair is a deeply personal and subjective experience that cannot be communicated or shared with others. The poem explores the effect of this kind of despair on the speaker and the sense of isolation and loneliness it brings. The poem's final lines suggest that the experience of despair is a reminder of the transience of life and the inevitability of death. The poem can be interpreted as a meditation on the fragility of the human spirit and how we cope with life's emotional challenges.
By abdul4 years ago in Poets
Internal differenceS
Heavenly Hurt, it gives us — We can find no scarS, But internal differenceS, Where the Meanings, are — These lines are from a poem by Emily Dickinson titled "Heaven is what I cannot reach." The poem explores the theme of the transcendent and unattainable nature of heaven.
By abdul4 years ago in Poets
Certain Slant of light
"There's a certain Slant of light" There's a certain Slant of light, Winter Afternoons — That oppresses, like the Heft Of Cathedral Tunes —These lines are the opening stanza of a poem by Emily Dickinson titled "There's a certain Slant of light."
By abdul4 years ago in Poets
"The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins
"Hunger Games" Synopsis. "The Hunger Games" is a popular dystopian novel written by Suzanne Collins. It was first published in 2008 and is the first book in a trilogy of the same name, followed by "Catching Fire" and "Mockingjay." The story is set in a post-apocalyptic North America, now known as Panem, which is divided into twelve districts. Each year, the Capitol of Panem hosts the Hunger Games, a televised event in which one boy and one girl from each district are chosen at random to compete in a fight to the death. The last person standing is declared the winner and earns fame and fortune for their district. The protagonist of the story is a 16-year-old girl named Katniss Everdeen, who volunteers as tribute to take the place of her younger sister in the Hunger Games. Along with her fellow tribute, Peeta Mellark, Katniss must navigate the deadly arena and make alliances to increase her chances of survival. As the games progress, Katniss becomes a symbol of resistance against the oppressive government of Panem, inspiring rebellion in the districts and challenging the Capitol's authority. "The Hunger Games" explores themes such as survival, sacrifice, power, and oppression, and has been praised for its engaging plot and complex characters. The book has been adapted into a successful film franchise, with Jennifer Lawrence playing the role of Katniss Everdeen.
By VIJAYSHARMA4 years ago in Poets
She notes the Chariots
Unmoved — she notes the Chariots — pausing — At her low Gate — Unmoved — an Emperor be kneeling Upon her Mat — These lines are from the poem "This is my letter to the World" by Emily Dickinson. The poem explores the idea of communication and the relationship between the individual and the wider world.
By abdul4 years ago in Poets
Ample Nation
I've known her — from an ample nation — Choose One — Then — close the Valves of her attention — Like Stone — These lines are from the poem "I've known a Lady" by Emily Dickinson. The poem describes the speaker's experience of knowing a woman who can intensely focus her attention.
By abdul4 years ago in Poets
Soul selects
"The Soul selects her own Society" The Soul selects her own Society — Then — shuts the Door — To her divine Majority — Present no more —
By abdul4 years ago in Poets
How dreary to be somebody!
How dreary to be somebody! How public, like a frog To tell your name the livelong day To an admiring bog! These lines are also from a poem by Emily Dickinson, titled "I'm Nobody! Who are you?" In the following lines of the poem, the speaker contrasts the freedom of being a nobody with the burdens of being a somebody.
By abdul4 years ago in Poets
I'm Nobody
"I'm Nobody! Who are you?" I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too? Then there's a pair of us — don't tell! They'd banish us, you know.
By abdul4 years ago in Poets
It feels shorter; Tis Centuries
Since then 'tis centuries, and yet each It Feels shorter than the day I first surmised the horses' heads We were toward eternity.
By abdul4 years ago in Poets
Swelling of the ground
We paused before a house that seemed Swelling of the ground; The roof was scarcely visible, The cornice but a mound These lines are from the poem "Because I Could Not Stop for Death" by Emily Dickinson. In this stanza, the speaker and Death have stopped in front of a house that appears to be swelling off the ground.
By abdul4 years ago in Poets