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Cool, Calm, and Collected: Poems 1960-2000

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Carolyn Kizer has done the world of poetry a favor by issuing another stellar collection of poems for sheer entertainment, soul-pondering, reflection, escape, psyche-pleasure and engagement with the joys of the music of the written word. Her finest piece to date is a villanelle, a poignant commentary on the Gulf War of several years ago. While not included in this collection, it bears reciting here to get an idea of the value of Carolyn's verse:(On a Line from Valery) The whole green sky is dying. the last tree flares/ With a great burst of supernatural rose/ Under a canopy of poisonous airs.

Could we imagine our return to prayers/ To end in time before time's final throes,/ The green sky dying as the last tree flares?

But we were young in judgment, gray in hairs/ Who could make peace; but it was war we chose,/ To spread its canopy of poisoning airs.

Not all our children's pleas and women's stares/ Could steer us from this hell. And now God knows/ His whole green sky is dying as it flares.

Our crops of wheat have turned to fields of tares./ This dreadful century staggers to its close/ And the sky dies for us, its poisoned heirs.

All rain was dust. Its granules were our cares./ Throats burst as everywhere winter arose/ To kill the whole green sky. The last tree bears/ Within its canopy ripe poisoned pears.

Enjoy this newest work of art by as talented a poet as they come.