The Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice. Find a quote from page 56.
Check out the links for the rules and for the posts of the participants each week. Participants don't select their favorite, coolest, or most intellectual books, they just use the one they are currently reading. This is the book I'm reading right now:
Book Title: Ten Poems to Change Your Life by Roger Housden
Book Beginning:
Good Poetry has the power to start a fire in your life. The first poem in this book, Mary Oliver's "The Journey", begins like this:
One day you finally knew what you had to do,
and began, though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice---Friday 56 (46)
I opened my book of Rumi poems, and the pages fell open to this one ("Zero Circle")
-Then a stretcher will come from grace to gather us up.Comments: This is my second time reading this poetry book. It was the first of many Ten Poems books I read by Roger Housden. I really like them because the author explains the poems and puts them into context and draws attention to the symbolism. The quotes above include an except from a poem each, in italics.
Post Script: Several folks have commented that they don't like or understand poetry, but wonder if this book would be a good place to start. My answer is yes. I, too, didn't understand poetry nor how to read it until I read this book and the several other similar volumes in the Ten Poems series by Housden. I found my copy at a used book store, since it was published in 2001 you might find one at your local used bookstore, too. Here is my original blog post written after my first time through the book in 2013: Ten Poems to Change Your Life review. I actually like the review I wrote for a subsequent volume better. Please feel free to check that one out, too: Ten Poems to Set You Free.
Hey, while you are at it help yourself to one more, Ten Poems to Heal Your Heart.
I hope you, too, can find your way to poetry which really speaks to you.
Ive never really been that into poetry, but this book sounds like it could change my mind. I'll look for it at my l;ibrary.
ReplyDeleteMarie @ Pages to Explore
Library*
DeleteI hope you do have it. That is where I found it, in my own library, sitting neatly and quietly on the shelf until I came along.
DeleteI must admit that I've often been intimidated by poetry. I wonder: "Am I getting it or am I missing something?" A book with explanations sounds like just what I need!
ReplyDeleteMy Friday post features WATERCOLORS IN THE RAIN.
I completely understand. This poetry is made much less obtuse by Housden's explanations.
DeleteI don't read much poetry, but this one seems alright.
ReplyDeleteAnyone smart enough to include Rumi on a life-changing list is ok in my book. I think I'll have to see who else he includes!
ReplyDeleteI just finished reading a poetry book completely by Rumi and I am not sure I understood everything but it was hard for me to think it was written in the 13th century. I do better with modern poets like Oliver or Collins.
DeleteI don't read a lot of poetry, but when I do, I have enjoyed it. Love the cover. :-)
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental Friday Memes
I don't read a lot of poetry but I like the fact that the author explains them and puts them into context- that's a pretty good idea for newbies to poems. Thanks for visiting my Friday meme
ReplyDeleteYes, this book is perfect for newbies.
DeleteWow...The 56 is so...wow. I'd love for you to check out mine... http://tinyurl.com/LisaKsBookReviewsACFTW
ReplyDeleteI know. The imagery of being picked up on a stretcher by grace, after we have fallen down. Perfect!
DeleteSome poetry speaks to me, and other poems, not so much. This one sounds good. Thanks for sharing, and here's mine: ”THE PRICE OF SALT”
ReplyDeleteI also like that there are explanations - a good introduction to poetry, perhaps?
ReplyDeleteYes, definitely.
DeleteIf you don't know already, I LOVE poetry. Even write sometimes.
ReplyDeleteLOVE Rumi! But loved the beginning too!
Happy weekend!
Mary Oliver's poem The Journey is so perfect for a person who is attempting to take control of their own life. It goes on to say things about not listening to the voice (shouting bad advice) even if it is super hard. But we have to ignore them and learn to hear our own voice.
DeleteI find poetry to be so relaxing and it's nice to have a book of poetry you love reaching for. Happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteA fellow poetry fan. Yes. All month I have been feeling stressed so I have found solace in the poems.
DeleteThat's a wonderful beginning to a poem!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your post on BBOF!
I have always had a hard time undrstanding poetry. In fact, I kind of hold a grudge against it. I majored in English in college, or at least, I did, until I took the required class on poetry. I couldn't interpret the damn things to save my life. I needed to pass the class to continue my English major, but I was doing so poorly I ended up dropping the class and changing my major. I still wish I hadn't had to take that stupid poetry class. I can analyze literature just fine, but poetry was always, and still is, a struggle. I do like the beginning of the first poem here though, I know what he means about starting something but getting bad advice from the voices around you. Thanks for visiting my blog! Sorry about the anti-poetry rant, lol.
ReplyDeleteI love the cover .. sounds like a nice read! Here's mine for the week: http://guiltlessreading.blogspot.ca/2016/02/friday56-bookbeginnings-zero-k.html
ReplyDeleteHi Anne,
ReplyDeleteI probably wouldn't sit and read a book of poetry from cover to cover. It is more the kind of book I might dip in and out of, maybe just reading a single poem in a sitting.
In some ways, I like that this author has written explanatory notes for the poems. However on the other hand, poetry to me, is like any other novel ... unique in its interpretation to the individual reader, so perhaps author notes might be a little subjective?
Either way, I like the cover art choice and the very first line ..
"Good Poetry has the power to start a fire in your life."
Thanks for sharing and I hope that your weekend has been a good one so far :)
Yvonne
I haven't read much poetry lately but this does sound like a good spot to jump back in.
ReplyDeleteCheck out my Friday 56 (With Book Beginnings).