Customer Reviews

Starting from Sleep: New & Selected Poems (Sewanee Writers' Series)

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Starting From Sleep: New And Selected Poems by Charles Martin is an engaging selection of lyrical, rhyming poetry that addresses everything from philosophy to the dilemma of interplays between love and different religions. Emotional, inviting, and painting the real and surreal with words, Starting From Sleep uses its rhythm and verse to draw back the veil of the world of dreams. Petronius On Values: Changed circumstances may conduce/To reappraisals,/An iron key be of more use/Than gold that dazzles;//You'd trade the rags in which you're dressed/for a sable coat?/You'll find some footpad's switchblade pressed/Against your throat://Better to grasp a splintery oar/Than a golden crown/When your treasure ship is miles from shore/And going down.

Charles Martin's selected poems come from thirty years of writing poetry, and the skill he has is evident. Martin has a formal control over his poetry that isn't seen much today, and his use of language is exquisit. The selection contains translations, poems on pop culture, poems that touch on the deeper levels of being human, and selections from his long narrative 'Passages from Friday' (the Robinson Crusoe story told from Friday's perspective). These poems are not only a wonderful selection of poems, but great examples of technical skill.