Collected Poems
Water Walker and 19 Masks for the Naked Poet
Published on 22. April 2014
132 pages
978-1-4804-8154-1 (ISBN)
Description
The lyrical poems of award-winning author Nancy Willard celebrate the magic of life
Nancy Willard, who was the first recipient of a Newbery Medal for a volume of poetry, displays her versatility in these companion collections.
Divided into five sections, Water Walkerblends the mundane with the mystical. From sleeping fish to Marco Polo to a tortoise who dispenses unique advice to a bride on her wedding day, these poems integrate fables, nursery rhymes, hymns, and songs.
In 19 Masks for the Naked Poet, the human soul reveals itself, as we remove the disguises that bind (and blind) us to everyday life. Fanciful images of nature-dozing bees, green lions-infuse this collection. Doors become mirrors and husbands float above their marital beds as Willard explores themes of family, love, spirituality, politics, and immortality. Her "poet" experiences everything from the sacred to the profane, from photographing his heart to meeting God in creations that are enchanting and surreal.
This ebook includes illustrations by Regina Shekerjian.
Nancy Willard, who was the first recipient of a Newbery Medal for a volume of poetry, displays her versatility in these companion collections.
Divided into five sections, Water Walkerblends the mundane with the mystical. From sleeping fish to Marco Polo to a tortoise who dispenses unique advice to a bride on her wedding day, these poems integrate fables, nursery rhymes, hymns, and songs.
In 19 Masks for the Naked Poet, the human soul reveals itself, as we remove the disguises that bind (and blind) us to everyday life. Fanciful images of nature-dozing bees, green lions-infuse this collection. Doors become mirrors and husbands float above their marital beds as Willard explores themes of family, love, spirituality, politics, and immortality. Her "poet" experiences everything from the sacred to the profane, from photographing his heart to meeting God in creations that are enchanting and surreal.
This ebook includes illustrations by Regina Shekerjian.
More details
Persons
Nancy Willard (1936-2017) grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She was the author of two novels, seven books of stories and essays, and twelve books of poetry, including
The Sea at Truro (2012). A winner of the Devins Memorial Award, she received NEA grants in both fiction and poetry. Her book
Water Walker was nominated for the National Book Critics Circle Award, and her picture book
A Visit to William Blake's Inn was the first volume of poetry to receive the Newbery Medal, the country's highest honor for children's writing.
Content
- Intro
- Cover
- Title Page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Publisher's Note
- Epigraph
- I Water Walker
- A Wreath to the Fish
- The Feast of St. Tortoise
- Psalm to the Newt
- Aquarium
- Airport Lobsters
- Life at Sea: The Naming of Fish
- Poem Made of Water
- A Psalm for Running Water
- II The Road
- In Praise of Unwashed Feet
- A Hardware Store As Proof of the Existence of God
- Missionaries Among the Heathen
- The Unspeakable Telephone
- Coming to the Depot
- In the Stretch Limousine
- Science Fiction
- III The Garden
- Walking Poem
- Cat Rising Among the Angels
- Small Medicinal Poem
- For Karen
- Ilse's Sleep
- Marriage Amulet
- A Psalm for Vineyards
- Bedtime Story
- The Teachings of the Jade
- Roots
- Onionlight
- The Potato Picker
- The Weeder
- Preserves
- God Enters the Swept Field
- Memorial Day in Union City, Michigan
- Little Elegy with Books and Beasts
- IV Songs
- The Goose, the Fox, and the Snake Advise a Rabbit
- The Cat to His Dinner
- A Cautionary Tale
- The Games of Night
- Magic Story for Falling Asleep
- Night Song
- Two Songs: An Exchange with Peter Beagle
- V Saints Lose Back (The Poems Behind the Headlines)
- Saints Lose Back
- Buffalo Climbs Out of Cellar
- Giants Meet Reviving Eagles on Monday Night
- Tigers Shake Up Pitchers Again
- Foxes Fall to St. Francis
- Angels Shade Vida
- Roach Paces North Stars
- Giants Anxious for Skins
- Angels' Singer Stops Orioles
- Stone Leads Ladies Golf
- Four Seeds Defeated at Wimbledon
- Giant Streak Snarls Race
- Field Collapses Behind Patullo
- Ailing Stomach Delays Swan
- Wayward Lass Wins Mother Goose
- Nets Halt Suns
- Sun Accused of Illegal Purchases
- Stars Nip Wings
- Divine Child Rolls On
- 19 Masks for the Naked Poet
- Dedication
- The Poet Takes a Photograph of His Heart
- The Poet Runs a Race with the Brooklyn Bridge
- The Poet Meets God Who Is Riding on a Pig
- The Poet Invites the Moon for Supper
- The Poet Plants a Forest in His Wife's Marimba
- The Poet Calls to the Radio
- The Poet Writes Many Letters
- The Poet Elects Himself President
- The Poet Enters the Sleep of the Bees
- The Poet Folds to His Heart a Thousand Women
- The Poet Turns His Enemy Into a Pair of Wings
- The Poet Loses His Name in a Well
- Putting His Finger in the Dyke, He Saves All Holland
- The Poet Tracks Down the Moon
- The Baker's Wife Tells His Horoscope With Pretzels
- Two Hundred Cats Apply Their Tongues for His Bath
- The Poet Stumbles Upon the Astronomer's Orchards
- The Poet's Wife Watches Him Enter the Eye of the Snow
- The Poet's Wife Makes Him a Door So He Can Find the Way Home.
- About the Author
- Copyright
