Making a Poem: Some Thoughts about Poetry and the People Who Write It [Paperback]

Miller Williams (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2006

"We need poetry as we need love and company," according to Miller Williams. Making a Poem< speaks to us all—those of us trying to write a first poem, those who have published volumes of poetry, and anyone who cares how the world and language fit together. Distinguished as a poet, a teacher, a scholar, and a publisher, Williams traverses a wealth of topics. He explores poetic techniques of line break, rhythm, and meter, and the development of verse forms. In our technological age, he makes clear that poetry is essential to the human soul, showing the connection between scientists and humanists. Williams draws from experience to describe the importance of teaching poetry to prisoners and the value of the university and the small press in fostering poetry and the relationship between writer and editor. Making a Poem is an intimate, conversational treatise on poetry by a man of letters with decades of practice in both the business and the craft of verse. Readers will take away from this delightful book a deeper appreciation of the poet's art and the vital role poetry can play in their everyday lives. AUTHOR BIO: Miller Williams is the author, editor, or translator of thirty-three books, including fourteen volumes of poetry and Patterns of Poetry: An Encyclopedia of Forms. Among his many honors are the Amy Lowell Traveling Scholarship in Poetry from Harvard University, the Poets' Prize, and the Prix de Rome for Literature and the Academy Award for Literature, both from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. He was inaugural poet for Bill Clinton's second swearing-in as president. Williams took academic degrees in the sciences because a college counselor told him his entrance tests indicated no verbal aptitude. As a young man he played the clarinet and saxophone in a jazz combo. He is the father of three-time Grammy Award–winning singer and songwriter Lucinda Williams.

Product Details

• Paperback: 127 pages
• Publisher: Louisiana State University Press (October 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807131326
• ISBN-13: 978-0807131329
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #939,774 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Miller is a masterful poet in his own right, his reflections reflect that, August 5, 2008

By 

ginger danken (cincinnati) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Making a Poem: Some Thoughts about Poetry and the People Who Write It (Paperback)

Wonderful insight on poetic process and persona, lucid observations on some of the most important poets from many varied centuries and schools.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Making A Poem, November 24, 2009

By 

Annie - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Making a Poem: Some Thoughts about Poetry and the People Who Write It (Paperback)

While I highly respect the reputation and work of Miller Williams, I did not find this book stirring,inspirational, or helpful to the writing of poetry. I purchased it after reading the new "Preface" --(written by Billy Collins)-- in the reissue of 'The Apple That Astonished Paris". Interesting but not a keeper.