All That Divides Us: Poems (May Swenson Poetry Award Series)
(Book #4 in the Swenson Poetry Award Series)
Although the poems in this collection are not narrative, they do present a narrative, gradually unspooling the tale of the poet's rebel aunt, who left the family to marry a Chinaman in the 1940s. It's an old story, full of poignancy, mystery, family pride, and doubt.When the aunt returns to die, the poet, now grown, discovers in herself the need to reclaim the connections that her family had severed. She travels to China several times -- to learn. Gradually, through wide-eyed, insightful poems, we see the poet rebuild with her Chinese cousins a sense of generation, family, and humanity -- bridging over all that that divides us.
Format:Hardcover
Language:English
ISBN:0874212952
ISBN13:9780874212952
Release Date:August 2000
Publisher:Utah State University Press
Length:67 Pages
Weight:0.64 lbs.
Dimensions:0.5" x 5.5" x 8.5"
Age Range:17 years and up
Grade Range:Grade 12 and higher
Customer Reviews
2 ratings
Fresh Images
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
This collection of poems piques the reader's senses and maintains interest throughout. The narrative with compelling characterizations keeps the reader moving along and even identifying with the mysterious Chinese aunt and her family in the United States. It is one of those rare books of poetry which you want to read to the very end without putting it down, and yet to enjoy stopping and mulling over individual poems. The encounters between Buddhist, Christian, and Confucian elements lend universal significance. This is the best poetry on today's literary scene.
Hope & Caring & Sharing
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
This book is the winner of the May Swenson Poetry Award for 2000. While not a narrative poem, the story of the author's aunt that married a "Chinaman" and left her family only to return when she was dying, is as close as one can get. The poems tell of the author's need for connections and a sense of family and humanity that are inspiring and eternal. The bridge over all that divides us is, after all, built on hope and caring and sharing. A Marvelous collection.
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