The opening and closing groups of poems in this book are pretty straightforward and accessible. Those from the central section ("Presence: Translations From the Natural World") require more work by the reader. Once one realizes Murray has had to invent a different way of speaking for each animal or plant, the poems lose their opacity and become sheer magic. This from "The Snake's Heat Organ": "I gather at the drinking margin./Across the nothing there/an ardency/is lapping blank...a fox,it is pedalling off now,/a scintillating melon..../round a dark seed centre/and hungry as the sun."
Astonishing stuff from Down Under!
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. Learn more
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle Cloud Reader.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Flip to back Flip to front
Follow the Author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
