I've been reading and very much enjoying Stallings's translation of Lucretius's epic poem "The Nature of Things" and so I decided to give her original poetry a try. Turns out it's terrific!
I have never really read much of this poet's work. I picked it up on a whim (yes I liked the cover!
"Olives" harvests 43 poems by A. E.
Amazing collection of poetry. Stallings combines wonderful story-telling infused with Greek mythology, with an incredible diversity of meters and rhyme schemes.
Every poem was delightful and surprising. I enjoyed Stallings' use of form, including rhyme, to invigorate the language.
Liked the words. I would recommend it to other readers and poets.
The first trait new readers will discover when they crack her books is that A.E.
I read a lot of poetry and write some. I've developed a personal list of the qualities necessary for real poetry.
Her genius grant,No need to rant.Buy her books if you would praise.
Perhaps the title says it all.Do you love poetry?
More than a collection of great poems, Olives is a book. In Kevin Kelly's "What Will Books Become," a book is "a self-contained story, argument, or body of knowledge .
For my money, she's simply among the very best poets writing today. I'll buy anything she publishes because she is freaking brilliant, charming, smart, and she makes even the most challenging poetic form look easy...
This is a very interesting read. It can be interpreted in so many ways, spiritually, physically, emotionally.
I wasn't familiar with Stallings until March of this year, but this has quickly become one of my favourite collections. She uses form with such good judgement and clarity, and it makes her imagery feel both fresh and inevitable.
