Mercy
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A new collection by the National Book Award winner and one of America's most beloved poets.Library JournalThe prize-winning Clifton's many volumes of poetry (e.g., Two-Headed Woman) have long been celebrated for their spirited concern with race, family, female identity, and sexuality. Her latest book, which confronts difficult topics like death, cancer, and the tragedy of 9/11, continues to explore these motifs. But Clifton also addresses a larger issue of the process of learning, that is, how we comprehend abuse and love, "the shape of an unsafe life." In wise, patient language, her poetry searches for the deeper significance of ordinary life. These unadorned, compassionate poems encourage us to move beyond disenchantment and hate to discover all that is marvelous in the world. Despite her "quarrels with/ insignificant life," she concludes that "we have risen away from all that/ wrapped in understanding." Trusting that we are ever preparing for the future, Clifton offers a mature, splendid vision that enables her to find "wholeness/ holiness" and a "flash of silence" in each person's life. Recommended for all libraries. Frank Allen, Northampton Community Coll., Tannersville, PA Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
The gift11Out of body12Dying13Last words14Oh antic God15April16After one year17Sonku18Children19Surely I am able to write poems23Mulberry fields24The river between us25Cancer26In the mirror27Blood28A story29Mercy30Here rests31After Oz32The phantom33Powell34Walking the blind dog35Hands36Wind on the St. Marys River37The tale the shepherds tell the sheep38Stop39Tuesday 9/11/0143Wednesday 9/12/0144Thursday 9/13/0145Friday 9/14/0146Saturday 9/15/0147Sunday morning 9/16/0148Monday sundown 9/17/0149Your mother sends you this53Come to here54You55We are ones56In the saying of57We are here58Why should we wander bone yards59Some of you have been blessed60You come to teach61In the geometry62We63God64The angels have no wings65You who feel yourself66You wish to speak of67You are not68The universe requires the worlds69You have placed yourselves70Whether in spirit71The air72The patience73What has been made74There is a star75
