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How To Read a Poem...and Start a Poetry Circle

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Do you know Robert Pinsky's talisman poem? How about the favorite poem of Robt. Bly, W.S. Merwin, Joy Harjo, Mary Oliver, Jane Kenyon, Naomi Shahib Nye, or Donald Hall? Molly Peacock does and she presents the list of talisman poems from 60 contemporary poets in the back matter of her book. This list provides a great springboard for further reading! Peacock begins How to Read a Poem--And Start a Poetry Circle by discussing her JOY of language and poetry and then goes on to present 13 of her favorite poems. She explains how these poems have enriched her journey. This book does exactly what the title promises. Peacock discusses the rich qualities of her favorite poems and then tells the reader how to find the same enjoyment in starting a poetry circle of their own. If you love poetry, you'll love this book. Like a good poem, you'll come back to it again and again.

The only other book that hovers in the "shimmering verge" between essay and lyric poem the way this book does is Anne Carson's Eros the Bittersweet. Peacock's book is written in a style that never talks down to seasoned poets, yet clarifies even the most complex poetics for those new to this art. When all is said and done, that is precisely what this book is: a thrillingly beautiful work of art. I am enriched by it.

This book is, in short, a gift - luminous and elegant and joyful. Buy a copy for yourself and you will give one to someone you love...and you will have forever a place inside of you to return that only great art can create. Lovers of poems and thoughtful, soulful prose that gives of itself in a nearly endless fashion will cherish this book, I believe. And so the 'Circle' becomes larger where everything that is true of human experience is welcome in the most well-wrought form. Molly Peacock is the finest kind of teacher.

Molly Peacock's How to Read a Poem . . . and Start a Poetry Circle provides a great deal of information in just 200 pages. From how to interpret poems to how to create a poetry circle and join the ranks of those dipping their feet into the poetic pool.

Peacock clearly knows her stuff from writing verse to examining its structure and images. She postulates that any poem can be examined in three simple steps. Examine the poem line-by-line, which she notes is considered the skeleton of the poem. Examine the sentence, which readers could consider the muscles of the poem. Finally, readers should examine the image or nervous system of the poem. However, Peacock does not suggest that readers pick apart each element of a poem and discuss it ad nauseam.

A number of chapters examine a number of poems, their images, their rhythms, and their internal music. Beyond the application of these techniques on actual poems, Peacock illustrates the beauty of poetry circles, how to start poetry circles, and provides readers with resources to begin their own poetry circles and how to select poetry for discussion in these circles.

These groups are not like book clubs where copious notes should be taken and entire books should be read. The purpose of a poetry circle is to generate a mutual respect and joy for each line of verse.

I read a lot of poetry, but it never hurts to hear well-thought insight on the topic, and Ms. Peacock provides just that. The poems she chooses are diverse, excellent, and far from war horses. Her comments impart true value. I enjoyed the poems when first reading and then even more so when reading her take on them. There should be more poetry books similar in format. It is a great way to learn the appreciation of poetry. Plus, it even benefits the seasoned reader.

(Also, look up Ms. Peacock's own poetry. She is very talented in her own right.)