May SartonSelected Poems of May SartonEdited and with an Introduction by Serene Sue Hilsinger and Lois BrynesThe steady growth of May Sarton's following and critical importance has revealed a creative writer of remarkable scope—equally at home in three literary forms: fiction, autobiography, and poetry. It is her poetry, however, where she achieves the full extent of her revelation as artist and human. The poems in this first selection from her whole work were written over a period of forty years. They convey a wonderfully energetic alteration of mood, idea, and experience that are part of her unique creative process. As the editors say, the arrangement of this selection is not chronological; rather it is arranged so as to clarify and preserve Sarton's rhythms of voice of voice, vision and inner passions. here are occasional poems exploring the private moments of erotic love as well as a public event such as the Kent State killings, and the voice expressing these occasions ranges from the pastoral to the polemical. The tone ranges from the lyrical to the dissonant, the form from closed couplet to strong, clean free verse. One pervading theme is the poet's exploration of the creative process itself, its sources both within and without, its strong unforgiving demands and the fears and joys it can bring. In all, it is a superb selection, a fascinating guide to the thought, emotions, and intuitions of May Sarton. It will be of enormous help to the student and a revelation to those who know Sarton only through her novels and her journals. 
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1978 / paper / ISBN 0-393-04512-9 / 206 pages / 5-1/2" x 8-1/4" / Poetry | |||||
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