Customer Reviews

Henry David Thoreau, The Poet's Delay: A Collection of Poetry by America's Greatest Observer of Nature

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This volume certainly isn't the first (or last) publication to match Henry David Thoreau's words with beautiful photos. The differences here are that (a) the text is solely Thoreau's poetry, and (b) the accompanying visuals are pieces from the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. It is Thoreau's *prose* that is most often quoted and reprinted ad infinitum. In spite of the fact that he described himself as a poet by profession, today Thoreau's poetry is frequently dismissed as being sub-par or not worth considering at all. This treatment serves to remedy that situation.

Here, 52 poems are illustrated with the work of more than 20 artists. Sixteen of the paintings are from Winslow Homer and six are from John Singer Sargent. Putting Thoreau's words next to Homer's artwork is a perfect match. Both men were inspired by the natural world and conveyed their connectedness in their creations.

One of the most compelling entries is not Nature-oriented. "I Am the Little Irish Boy" tells the story of a youngster whose father was a railroad worker. The facing page shows Jessie Wilcox Smith's red-haired tyke looking out from her illustration called "When Daddy was a Little Boy." The well-dressed boy in the picture is better off than the one described in the poem, and yet his eyes will catch you and make you think about the similarities instead.

This smallish coffee table book could be opened to a different poem and painting each day, it's that nice. Scoop one up if you can find it!

Winslow Homer's watercolors perfectly complement Thoreau's works. For someone new to Thoreau's poetry, it is an enchanting collection sure to engage, capturing the essence of New England nature, and Transcendentalist philosophy. It is a beautiful tribute to two who were masters of their crafts.