An Animal of the Sixth Day (Walt McDonald First-Book Series) [Hardcover]

Laura Fargas (Author), Walter McDonald (Preface)

Book Description

Series: Walt McDonald First-Book Series | Publication Date: March 1, 1996

There is such excitement and joy in the poems of Laura Fargas—a rush to embrace the earth, an exuberant "giddy greed" for life. "I like the voice, the spirit I find in her poems," says Walter McDonald. "She accepts and celebrates the rich possibilities and, even with the risks and limitations of all, insists that living on this earth is splendid." Grass the Fine Body Hairs of Earth My shorthand for it is passion is holy We can live inside the lilies-of-the-field text. Watching gulls startle off the ground as if hundreds of lashing wings are our native air. Breathe in wings, exhale speckled orange wildflowers. eyes, elbows, tears: suns, mountains, rivers. Lovemaking rings with hosannas. "Through the doors of her poems the reader enters into a multifaceted and clarified knowledge—of self, of others, of this widely inhabited and passionate earth."—Jane Hirshfield "Visceral beauty with a calm, cool center, the work of a mature and gifted poet . . ."—Toi Derricotte Between Angels Between the angels who peel our hearts and the ones gnawing steadily inward comes the stolid oath that holds us fast to the world of apple and fire. And the heart wants something to be kind to, even if only a fish to sprinkle crumbs on the water for once or twice a day. I like it when the sky says where have you been? Housed in a fist, I explain, stuck inside somebody's movie. Have I missed too many clouds to ever catch up? ("I like it when")

Editorial Reviews

Review

There is an undeniable joy and excitement in the poetry of Laura Farga. A rush to embrace the earth and an exuberant "giddy greed" for life. Here poetry is that of a talented and experienced poet with insight into the human experience and a vivid gift for celebratory expression of the human imagination. -- Midwest Book Review

Product Details

• Hardcover: 79 pages
• Publisher: Texas Tech University Press (March 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0896723607
• ISBN-13: 978-0896723603
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #522,805 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sixth and Best Day, July 18, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: An Animal of the Sixth Day (Walt McDonald First-Book Series) (Hardcover)

On the sixth day of the biblical creation story, God created humans as distinct from animals. Modern readers regard humans as part of the animal kingdom. The title epitomizes Laura Fargas's gift for synthesis in imagery. Subtle phrasing of rhythm and voice combine with her images to make An Animal of the Sixth Day an experience rather than simple reading. I highly recommend it.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, touching, a joyous read, August 15, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: An Animal of the Sixth Day (Walt McDonald First-Book Series) (Hardcover)

I'm afraid I'm one of those people who's always been "afraid" of poetry. This book has made feel that there's nothing to be afraid of, that poetry can be simple and meaningful at the same time; that it can it can touch something inside without my realizing why or how. It's a lovely book.

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful book, October 28, 2006

By 

Cecilia Rose (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: An Animal of the Sixth Day (Walt McDonald First-Book Series) (Hardcover)

I consider myself fortunate to have stumbled upon this book a few years ago. I have since bought several copies to give away. Fargas is a luminous poet, along the lines of Jane Hirshfield but more humane and engaged with the world; she views the created world with joy, humor and awe, often through the lens of western and eastern spiritual traditions. The poem "Barely Husbanding Their Own Bodies" is a miniature masterpiece. I can't recommend this book highly enough -- I want more from this poet!