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Before You Know It: Prose Poems, 1970-2005
by Louis JenkinsSelection of prose poems by the Minnesota-based poet.
Before You Met Me
by Agatha SicilMost people have skeletons in their closet and go through the motions of life meeting new people who are unaware of their past experiences. As a result, a person has more than one life to tell. The purpose of this book is to open the reader' s eyes that the person whom they refer to as their friend, colleague, in-law, or neighbor, is not who they really say they are but their previous interactions begin to make sense.
Before the Door of God: An Anthology of Devotional Poetry
by Kimberly Johnson Jay HoplerBefore the Door of God traces the development of devotional English-language poetry from its origins in ancient hymnody to its current twenty-first-century incarnations. The poems in this volume demonstrate not only that devotional poetry—poetry that speaks to the divine—remains in vigorous practice, but also that the tradition reaches back to the very origins of poetry in English. There is a sense in these pages that the tradition of lyric poetry that developed was nearly inevitable, given the inherent concerns of the genre. <p><p>Featuring the work of poets over a three-thousand-year period, Before the Door of God places the devotional lyric in its cultural, historical, and aesthetic contexts. The volume traces the various influences on this tradition and identifies features that persist in devotional lyric poetry across centuries, cultures, and stylistic differences. To scholars, literary professionals, and general readers who find delight in fine poetry, this anthology offers much to contemplate and discuss.
Before the Next Bomb Drops: Rising Up from Brooklyn to Palestine
by Remi Kanazi&“A beautiful but urgent clarion call for freedom, justice, and resistance in every pocket of the world, from occupied Palestine to gentrified Brooklyn&” (Marc Lamont Hill, academic and activist). we are the boat / returning to dock / we are the footprints / on the northern trail / we are the iron / coloring the soil / we cannot / be erased —from &“Refugee&” Remi Kanazi&’s poetry presents an unflinching look at the lives of Palestinians under occupation and as refugees scattered across the globe. He captures the Palestinian people&’s stubborn refusal to be erased, gives voice to the ongoing struggle for liberation, and explores the meaning of international solidarity. In this latest collection, Kanazi expands his focus outside the sphere of Palestine and presents pieces examining racism in America, police brutality, US militarism at home and wars abroad, conflict voyeurism, Islamophobia, and a range of other issues. &“His rhymes and rhythms, filled with sharp wit, irony and deep empathy, are a great joy to read even as they tackle some of the most urgent political struggles of our day.&” —Ali Abunimah, author of The Battle for Justice in Palestine
Beforelight
by Matthew GellmanBeforelight explores queer childhood as a site of rupture and queer coming-of-age as a process of both becoming and unbecoming. With wisdom and grace, the speaker in these poems confronts the impacts of fragmented relationships and trauma on his nascent identity, ultimately committing to the self's authenticity as the highest form of devotion. Lush, cinematic, and deeply psychological, these poems grapple with the fragility of our most formative connections—familial, communal, and ancestral—as the speaker searches for communion with himself and tries to discover how not to “make a life out of pain.”
Begin Afresh: The Evolution of Philip Larkin’s Poetry
by Sisir Kumar ChatterjeeBegin Afresh: The Evolution of Philip Larkin’s Poetry offers incisive, insightful and yet lucid analyses of all the individual poems contained in the four major collections of Larkin (1922–1985).It also deals with his “Juvenile Poems”, Brunette Coleman poems, those in In the Grip of Light and XX Poems, as well as his last poems. The book also discusses Larkin’s novels and débats. It evaluates the critical opinions regarding various aspects of Larkin’s poetry, especially the issue of its development, and shows that it may not follow a clearly identifiable, linear, chronological line of evolution, but it does evolve in a subtle way from one phase of his career to the next. The book explores how Larkin discovered his own original, inimitable, idiosyncratic poetic voice by truly democratising English poetry for the first time, by writing accessible and pleasurable poetry, and by forging a new poetic out of a philistine aesthetic, which stands out as an artistic holotype. It shows how Larkin restores the relation between poetry and the reading public, a relation which was broken down by Modernist poets. It also establishes how his poetic vision is neither optimistic nor pessimistic, but realistic in that it “preserves” the universal human condition without moralising or philosophising. The book aims to make a fresh departure in Larkin criticism and mark a new era in Larkin studies. This volume will be of interest to students and researchers of Modernism, twentieth-century literature, poetry, language and literature.
Begin Again: Poems
by Grace PaleyA teacher, activist, feminist and masterful writer of short fiction and essays, Paley was also an accomplished poet. Combining her two previous collections with unpublished work, Begin Again traces the career of a direct, attentive, and always unpredictable poet. Whether describing the vicissitudes of life in New York City or the hard beauty of rural Vermont, whether celebrating the blessings of friendship or protesting against social injustice, her poems brim with compassion and tough good humour.
Beginner's Guide to a Head-On Collision: A Memoir in Poems
by Sebastian MatthewsThe award-winning author of In My Father&’s Footsteps combines prose and poetry in a poignant memoir that captures the aftershocks of a tragic car accident. &“Beginner&’s Guide to a Head-on Collision offers the deeply moving poetic memoir of Sebastian Matthews&’s life in the years after the car accident that devastated him and his wife and son. The poems, which often read like electric improvised prayer-songs, intimately evoke the terrors and wonders of catastrophic physical injury and of &‘life re-booted.&’ They are disturbing, eerie poems that embody the paradoxes of being The Dead Man at the crossing. They are amazingly honest in their hopeful, mystical sense of fate. In this unforgettable book, the reader is present at the scene of the accident where the hovering spirit that has departed the body addresses the living person re-entering his brokenness and answering for his transcendent awareness.&” —Kevin McIlvoy, author of Hyssop &“These poems detail both physical and spiritual misery, and though suffering can turn us into many things, Matthews—our banged-up storyteller, singer, docent—strives to deliver himself back to a body of affection, intimacy, and kindness. Beginner&’s Guide to a Head-on Collision is a remarkable record of that difficult journey.&” —Patrick Rosal, author of Brooklyn Antediluvian &“By reading Beginner&’s Guide to a Head-on Collision we learn how to go in and out of the body as necessary and, in order to take in the possibility of a larger life, how to wrest from breakage release from our thin views of who we are.&” —Vievee Francis, author of Forest Primeval
Beginnings in Literature (America Reads, Classic Edition)
by Alan L. Madsen Sarah Durand Wood Philip M. Connors'Beginnings in Literature' has an opening unit of selections representing a variety of genre. The next six units contain short stories, poetry, plays, nonfiction, and folk literature. An eighth unit is about the legendary King Arthur and his knights.
Behind Bars: On punishment, prison & release
by Lady UnchainedIn 2008, 21-year-old Lady Unchained got involved in a fight in a club while trying to protect her sister.Serving 11 months of her prison sentence, her life changed completely. Inside, Lady Unchained began to write, while battling isolation, loneliness and the fear of being wrongly deported. These notes became powerful bars of poetry, capturing first-hand the broken justice system and the racism rooted within it.Wide-awake poetry, Behind Bars traces how Lady Unchained's identity was irrevocably changed during her sentencing, time in prison and release.Behind Bars proves there is life after prison.
Behind Bars: On punishment, prison & release
by Lady Unchained***** 'So deeply gripping and inspiring...It will stay with me, always.' - Annie MacmanusIn 2008, 21-year-old Lady Unchained got involved in a fight in a club while trying to protect her sister.Serving 11 months of her prison sentence, her life changed completely. Inside, Lady Unchained began to write, while battling isolation, loneliness and the fear of being wrongly deported. These notes became powerful bars of poetry, capturing first-hand the broken justice system and the racism rooted within it.Wide-awake poetry, Behind Bars traces how Lady Unchained's identity was irrevocably changed during her sentencing, time in prison and release.Behind Bars proves there is life after prison.
Behind Bars: On punishment, prison & release
by Lady UnchainedIn 2008, 21-year-old Lady Unchained got involved in a fight in a club while trying to protect her sister.Serving 11 months of her prison sentence, her life changed completely. Inside, Lady Unchained began to write, while battling isolation, loneliness and the fear of being wrongly deported. These notes became powerful bars of poetry, capturing first-hand the broken justice system and the racism rooted within it.Wide-awake poetry, Behind Bars traces how Lady Unchained's identity was irrevocably changed during her sentencing, time in prison and release.Behind Bars proves there is life after prison.This audio edition of the book includes original music to accompany the poems. (p) 2022 Octopus Publishing Group
Behind My Eyes: Poems
by Li-Young Lee"Lee's lyrics have a tidal sweep as he moves between the universe within and the world without." --Booklist, starred review
Behind Our Eyes 3
by Behind Our EyesIn Behind Our Eyes 3: A Literary Sunburst, the third anthology of its kind, six sections comprised of memoirs, fiction, and poetry share slices of life from the perspectives of those living with disabilities. Most works first appeared in Magnets and Ladders, an online literary journal in which novice and experienced writers with disabilities showcase their work. While unique challenges are incorporated into some of the works, this compilation speaks to universal themes and common experiences, involving loss and grief, adversity and fear, love and passion. Subjects such as life-changing illness and the death of a pet are shared with sensitivity and compassion; some works reminding us that a rainbow is possible only in the aftermath of a storm. Heartbreaking, as well as heartwarming, memoirs recount experiences belonging to military veterans, children of immigrants, and parents in the trenches of child rearing. Witty fiction introduces us to cosmic bowling with aliens, and asks us to envision a sky with two moons. Reflective poems describe braille as "ticklish filigree lace on cardboard paper" and fingerspelling that "perform[s] magic in a cacophony of the palms." In other verse, lyrical imagery paints enchanting portraits of the natural world. To unexpected delight, tantalizing recipes accompany several works; such as those for edible salad bowls, lemon herb bread, cinnamon rolls, and even frozen yogurt pops for golden retrievers named Sammy who "sing the blues." As a part of the community myself, I am reminded that the only thing a deaf woman cannot do is hear, and the only thing a blind man cannot do is see. This engaging collection promises three enriching opportunities: readers are challenged to question outdated notions of disability; invited to appreciate perspectives that differentiate us from one another; and encouraged to embrace the threads that make up the fabric of our collective human experience. Readers, disabled and not, will be inspired to hold up a mirror to their own experiences, and recognize that, reassuringly, we are all in this together. --Kelly Sargent, Creative Nonfiction Editor, The Bookends Review and author of Seeing Voices: Poetry in Motion
Behind Our Eyes: Stories, Poems and Essays by Writers with Disabilities
by Marilyn Brandt SmithLaugh with the blind guy who gets in the wrong car and almost gets arrested. Cry with the little girl whose parents resent her blindness so much that they constantly break her spirit. Rejoice over battles won against burglars, abusive spouses, self-doubt, and health care personnel who keep forgetting their patient can't see. Reflect on the issues of employment, acceptance, independent travel, and the appreciation of nature and other hobbies. This anthology attempts to bridge the gap between how disabled people are viewed by society and how they really live. Read about the writers' workshop, and join the group if you enjoy writing.
Behind the Wheel: Poems about Driving
by Janet S. WongThirty-five poems look at various aspects of driving, including passing the written driver's test, being pulled over by a cop, and having an accident, and treat them as a metaphor for life.
Behold the Bold Umbrellaphant: and Other Poems
by Jack PrelutskySpatuloons and toadsters, shoehornets and alarmadillos, ocelocks and zipperpotamuses--these are just some of the characters which come to life in this delightful, clever, and silly collection of poems. So go ahead! Open the book, and laugh 'til you can laugh no more! Other books by Jack Prelutsky are available in this library.
Behold the Chameleon
by Suzanne SladeLyrical text and gorgeous illustrations introduce us to the chameleon and its astonishing abilities.This reptilian superhero can alter the pigments in its skin cells to change color, operate its eyes separately (allowing it to keep one eye on dinner and one out for predators), capture that dinner by lashing out its long, super-fast, sticky tongue at speeds up to 13 miles an hour, and use its prehensile tail as an anchor. Ranging in size from less than an inch (Nano-chameleon, possibly the world's smallest reptile) to about two feet long, the size of a house cat (Parson's Chameleon), the chameleon is something to behold!
Behold the Hummingbird
by Suzanne SladeLyrical text and gorgeous illustrations take flight in this exploration of the tiny, gorgeous hummingbirds and its astonishing abilities.Hummingbirds are tiny and pretty, so you might find yourself taking them for granted. But these little birds are remarkable, fierce, and talented. In Behold the Hummingbird, readers will learn about species that can hover like a helicopter, fly backwards and upside down, and consume half their body weight in a single day.
Behold the Lamb . . . Poetically!: The Birth, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus in Poetry
by Maude PychBehold the Lamb . . . Poetically! is a compilation of free verse, rhymes, and haiku that explores many diverse aspects of the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus. The poems have been written over a span of thirty years. They have been inspired by Scripture as well as personal experiences like pilgrimages, setting up the crèche, baking Christmas cookies, and solemnly reflecting upon the crucifixion on Good Friday afternoon.Many of the old familiar stories presented in this way will touch you afresh. Certain poems will lift your spirit and generate deep reflection or worship; others will re-kindle memories of observances from childhood. There are poems in this book that you will bookmark to re-read from time to time and some you&’ll want to share with family and friends. You might bring a favorite or two to a church meeting or copy one and tuck it into the envelope with a Christmas or Easter card.Most of all, these poems are intended to draw the reader into desiring a deeper relationship with Our Savior, Jesus, the Holy Lamb of God.
Behold the Octopus!
by Suzanne SladeLyrical text and gorgeous illustrations plunge readers into an undersea exploration of the mysterious, accomplished octopus and its astonishing abilities.Behold the octopus! This remarkable animal hides beneath the seas, so you may not realize that it is one of the most incredible, talented creatures on our planet.Fortunately, this nonfiction picture book from an award-winning team reveals the fascinating features of the glorious octopus, such as lights that attract prey, legs that walk on land, and the ability to change color and shape to match their surroundings and even masquerade as other animals.Sparse, lyrical text is perfect for curious picture book readers, while sidebars and back matter share additional interesting details.
Bein' with You This Way
by W. Nikola-LisaAn African American girl visits the park and rounds up a group of her friends for an afternoon of fun and playground games. The children discover that despite their physical differences, they are all really the same.
Being Here: Prayers for Curiosity, Justice, and Love
by Pádraig Ó Tuama&“What is prayer? It&’s not a passport to heaven. If anything, it&’s a way of seeing here, a way of being here.&” In Being Here, acclaimed poet and theologian Pádraig Ó Tuama offers a thoughtful collection of prayers and essays to focus attention in a world full of distractions. Featuring 31 collects—an ancient five-fold form of prayer—this unconventional devotional invites readers into a daily rhythm of connection and creativity. &“The hope is that you can turn to a prayer with the story of your life, and in the little emptiness you create there, hear something, discern something, feel something that&’s connecting you to other things seeking out connection with you.&” Each day&’s prayers are presented alongside scripture and illuminating literary texts. The book concludes with four incisive essays on politics, community, and the contours of contemporary life as seen through biblical literature. Pádraig also teaches readers how they can embrace poetic form to expand their practice of prayer. In these pages, spiritual wayfarers will find a place to both rest and grow their capacity for curiosity, justice, and love. This is a way of living / That&’s worth living daily.
Being Numerous: Poetry and the Ground of Social Life (20/21 #11)
by Oren Izenberg"Because I am not silent," George Oppen wrote, "the poems are bad." What does it mean for the goodness of an art to depend upon its disappearance? In Being Numerous, Oren Izenberg offers a new way to understand the divisions that organize twentieth-century poetry. He argues that the most important conflict is not between styles or aesthetic politics, but between poets who seek to preserve or produce the incommensurable particularity of experience by making powerful objects, and poets whose radical commitment to abstract personhood seems altogether incompatible with experience--and with poems. Reading across the apparent gulf that separates traditional and avant-garde poets, Izenberg reveals the common philosophical urgency that lies behind diverse forms of poetic difficulty--from Yeats's esoteric symbolism and Oppen's minimalism and silence to O'Hara's joyful slightness and the Language poets' rejection of traditional aesthetic satisfactions. For these poets, what begins as a practical question about the conduct of literary life--what distinguishes a poet or group of poets?--ends up as an ontological inquiry about social life: What is a person and how is a community possible? In the face of the violence and dislocation of the twentieth century, these poets resist their will to mastery, shy away from the sensual richness of their strongest work, and undermine the particularity of their imaginative and moral visions--all in an effort to allow personhood itself to emerge as an undeniable fact making an unrefusable claim.
Being Reflected Upon (Penguin Poets)
by Alice NotleyA memoir in verse from one of America's legendary poetsIn a New York Times review of Alice Notley&’s 2007 collection In the Pines, Joel Brouwer wrote that &“the radical freshness of Notley&’s poems stems not from what they talk about, but how they talk, in a stream-of-consciousness style that both describes and dramatizes the movement of the poet&’s restless mind, leaping associatively from one idea or sound to the next.&” Notley&’s new collection is at once a window into the sources of her telepathic and visionary poetics, and a memoir through poems of her Paris-based life between 2000 and 2017, when she finished treatment for her first breast cancer. As Notley wrote these poems she realized that events during this period were connected to events in previous decades; the work moves from reminiscences of her mother and of growing up in California to meditations on illness and recovery to various poetic adventures in Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, and Edinburgh. It is also concerned with the mysteries of consciousness and the connection between the living and dead, &“stream-of-consciousness&” teasing out a lived physics or philosophy.