Split Verse : Poems to Heal Your Heart [Paperback]

William Duke (Author), Meg Campbell (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1877675350 | ISBN-13: 978-1877675355 | Publication Date: May 10, 2000

An anthology of poems about divorce. Poems are divided into six areas; "Marriage," "Separation," "Divorce," "Children," "Ex" and "Starting Over."

Editorial Reviews

From The New Yorker

...if there was ever a small book of poems that had a vast ready-made audience it is "Split Verse"....

Review

Meg Campbell had no idea the worst chapter of her life would become a cult hit. -- Working Mother, June 2000 by BETSY LOWTHER

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Product Details

• Paperback: 90 pages
• Publisher: Midmarch Arts Pr (May 10, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1877675350
• ISBN-13: 978-1877675355
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,566,651 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Telling the truth about love and loss, June 20, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Split Verse : Poems to Heal Your Heart (Paperback)

Separation and divorce are things that touch everyone and need to be talked about. Whether you are a child of divorced parents, or simply suffering from a break-up, even if you are happy and in love these poems cover the full spectrum of emotions involved. Each section speaks to a particular place in your soul and yet inspires you to remember the strength of the whole. At once funny and clever, or wry and difficult, they are beautifully written and collected. You will be glad you picked it up.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully done!, May 16, 2000

By 

maggie balistreri (NYC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Split Verse : Poems to Heal Your Heart (Paperback)

Split Verse, a collection of poems about divorce, voices the range of human emotion on this subject, and this voice at times lifts to keening and lulls to a growl. Buy this book for the chilling recognition of the unspoken distance underpinning a marriage in William Duke's "The Best Sex" and the flash of violence in Nita Penfold's "Her Daughter's Future Wedding": "All she can think about/is being in the same room/as her ex-husband./The knives on the table." From rants to quiet reflections, bursts of hope to the inertia of resignation, Split Verse is a sincere and powerful collection, a heartfelt respite from the anesthesia of these ironic days. The last words of the last poem in this collection, "The Way to Survive Divorce," by Meg Campbell, are an apt description of what each of these poets is doing: "Unveiling her heart with her hands." Beautifully done.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Breaking up is hard to do, July 4, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Split Verse : Poems to Heal Your Heart (Paperback)

Often "theme" anthologies end up too small in their focus and their reach. While SPLIT VERSE certainly concentrates on divorce, the poems are true to any experience of loss, devastation or betrayal. William Duke's erotic masterpiece "The Best Sex" bites you with its final judgement. Nita Penfold's recurring narrator reminds you of a favorite wise aunt, long since recovered from a bad choice. These poets aren't bitter but one can tell they spent some time there. SPLIT VERSE will surprise you every time you open it. Enjoy!