A River Remains: Poems [Paperback]

Larry Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 4, 2006

A RIVER REMAINS: POEMS by Larry Smith

Editorial Reviews

Review

In A RIVER REMAINS Smith sets out to do what Rilke calls, 'perhaps the most difficult of all talks, the ultimate, the last test and proof, the work for which all other work is but preparation'--the work of love. These poems look straight at the things we are most afraid of, and keeps with tenderness. . . .This book is a lesson in saying yes to life."

--Diane Gilliam Fisher, author of Kettle Bottom



"It is in the small quiet moments that Life gives up its meaning, and no one captures the gentle undercurrent of the bliss of life better than Larry Smith. . . .His poems are personal and modest, yet they radiate a universal voice. We can say when we have read his poems that there is a man who lives a deep and watchful life, a man who cares much." --Joel Rudinger, author of Lovers and Celebrations

Larry Smith's A RIVER REMAINS embodies the waterway of its title: in these poems the world is at once evanescent and permanent, always changing, yet always there. A collection of large scope built mostly from brief lyrics, narratives and meditations, it stands as the most compelling work from an already-distinguished career. Published by WordTech Editions; available through Bottom Dog Press, Inc.

Book Description

A RIVER REMAINS: POEMS by Larry Smith

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: WordTech Editions (June 4, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1933456280
• ISBN-13: 978-1933456287
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,922,337 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Larry Smith is a native of Mingo Junction, Ohio, in Appalachia's Panhandle region of the Ohio River Valley. Smith has worked as a steel mill laborer, a high school teacher, a college professor, and a writer and editor. A graduate of Mingo Central High School, Muskingum College, and Kent State University, he is the author of seven books of poetry, a book of memoirs, four books of fiction, two biographies of authors Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Kenneth Patchen, and two books of translations from the Chinese.
Now a professor emeritus of Bowling Green State University's Firelands College, he is the director of the Firelands Writing Center there and of Bottom Dog Press. Smith has received an Individual Artist Fellowship from the Ohio Arts Council, and a Fulbright Lectureship in American Literature to Italy. The author is a requested speaker on creative writing, publishing, American Transcendental writers, Zen Buddhist writings, and working-class literature.
Smith is the father of three adult children, and is married to Ann Smith a family counselor and professor emerita of Nursing at the Toledo University of Ohio. Most recently he is the author of THE FREE FARM: A NOVEL the Working Lives and Appalachian Writing Series from Bottom Dog Press and a pictoral history of his hometown Mingo Junction in the Images of America series from Arcadia Publishing. His books include:

The Free Farm: A Novel (Bottom Dog Press, 2011)
Mingo Junction: Images of America Series (Arcadia Publishing 2011)
Tu Fu Comes to America: A Story in Poems (March Street Press, 2010)
The Long River Home: A Novel, Working Lives Series 2009
The Kanshi Poems of Taigu Ryokan, translations 2009
Faces and Voices: Tales. 2006.
A River Remains: Poems. 2006.
Milldust & Roses: Memoirs. 2005.
Thoreu's Lost Journal: Poems. 2001.
Kenneth Patchen: Rebel Poet in America (Biography). 2000.
Chinese Zen Poems: What Hold Has This Mountain? translations 1998.
Working It Out (novel) 1998.
Beyond Rust: Novella and Stories. 1995.
Steel Valley: Postcards and Letters (Poems). 1992.
Ohio Zen Poems with d. steven conkle (A Twinbook). 1989.
Across These States (Journal Poem). 1985.
Scissors, Paper, Rock (Prose Poems). 1982.
Echo Without Sound (Poems with Etchings by Stephen Smigocki). 1982.
Lawrence Ferlinghetti: Poet-at-Large (Literary biography). 1983.
Kenneth Patchen (Literary biography). 1978.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A River Remains, October 31, 2006

By 

R. B. Smith (Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A River Remains: Poems (Paperback)

Larry Smith (no relation, though we have the same rare last name) is an honest observer of life. His poetry provides a window on life, work, family, and the passage of time. As with any collection of poetry, certain poems strike more of a chord in me more than others. There is a lot of food for thought and opportunity for reflection. A River Remains is a place to return to over and over again.

5.0 out of 5 stars Larry Smith poetry, November 30, 2008

By 

Garden maven (Oklahoma, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A River Remains: Poems (Paperback)

Normally I am not big on poetry but Larry Smith has the ability to grab and hold my attention with his poetry and I am thoroughly enjoying reading this book. It was also quite a pleasant surprise to receive this book with the author's signature inside.