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A review by andredias
The Branch Will Not Break: Poems by James Wright
4.0
James Wright was a Pulitzer Prize award winner (1972) and, with this poetry book, he presents to the reader a rollercoaster of emotions and feelings.
Dark feelings and emotional sufferings (e.g. "I was afraid of dying"; "Fear is what quickens me") are well represented during this collection of poems, where Human spirituality, obscure past events, nostalgic moments are some of the main thematics in this poetic work. In another hand, Wright expresses optimistic feelings towards Human life, as well as enjoyment moments (e.g." Today I was so happy, so I made this poem"). The concept of nature is also profoundly detailed as an important element in the author's life (e.g."Spring Images"; "Autumn Begins in Martins Ferry, Ohio").
Overall, I personally sensed that Wright highlights American decadence and its past in a dramatic manner. A bleak existence that can be transcended and succeeded. A bright and hopeful future...
DEPRESSED BY A BOOK OF BAD POETRY, I WALK TOWARD AN UNUSED
PASTURE AND INVITE THE INSECTS TO JOIN ME
"Relieved, I let the book fall behind a stone.
I climb a slight rise of grass.
I do not want to disturb the ants
Who are walking single file up the fence post,
Carrying small white petals,
Casting shadows so frail that I can see through them.
I close my eyes for a moment, and listen.
The old grasshoppers
Are tired, they leap heavily now,
Their thighs are burdened.
I want to hear them, they have clear sounds to make.
Then lovely, far off, a dark cricket begins
In the maple trees."
This is personally the poem I enjoyed the most. Wright's harmony with nature in a moment of sadness is deeply presented in these verses.
Looking forward to read more about deep image poetry in order to enhance my poetic palate!
Rating: 3.8/5 stars
Dark feelings and emotional sufferings (e.g. "I was afraid of dying"; "Fear is what quickens me") are well represented during this collection of poems, where Human spirituality, obscure past events, nostalgic moments are some of the main thematics in this poetic work. In another hand, Wright expresses optimistic feelings towards Human life, as well as enjoyment moments (e.g." Today I was so happy, so I made this poem"). The concept of nature is also profoundly detailed as an important element in the author's life (e.g."Spring Images"; "Autumn Begins in Martins Ferry, Ohio").
Overall, I personally sensed that Wright highlights American decadence and its past in a dramatic manner. A bleak existence that can be transcended and succeeded. A bright and hopeful future...
DEPRESSED BY A BOOK OF BAD POETRY, I WALK TOWARD AN UNUSED
PASTURE AND INVITE THE INSECTS TO JOIN ME
"Relieved, I let the book fall behind a stone.
I climb a slight rise of grass.
I do not want to disturb the ants
Who are walking single file up the fence post,
Carrying small white petals,
Casting shadows so frail that I can see through them.
I close my eyes for a moment, and listen.
The old grasshoppers
Are tired, they leap heavily now,
Their thighs are burdened.
I want to hear them, they have clear sounds to make.
Then lovely, far off, a dark cricket begins
In the maple trees."
This is personally the poem I enjoyed the most. Wright's harmony with nature in a moment of sadness is deeply presented in these verses.
Looking forward to read more about deep image poetry in order to enhance my poetic palate!
Rating: 3.8/5 stars