Last Poems, A. E. Housman
Last Poems, A. E. Housman
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Last Poems
Poetry of A.E. Housman

Author: A. E. Housman

Narrator: Robert Bethune

Unabridged: 48 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 03/16/2009


Synopsis

Housman himself knew that his output as a poet would not be large.
In his preface to this volume, he wrote, rather touchingly: "I publish these poems, few though they are, because it is not likely that I shall ever be impelled to write much more." He pulled Last Poems together because his life-long friend, Moses Jackson, was dying and Housman wanted Jackson to be able to read these poems before he passed away.The work in this volume is more varied in form and content than in his first book, and shows a change of heart, a greater acceptance of the human condition, along with a more impersonal voice.
His sense of the finality of life is strong: Dead clay that did me kindness
I can do none to you
But only wear for breast-knot
The flower of sinner's rue. Yet, if anything, his voice is gentler, his spirit calmer and more accepting, and his sense of the eternal stronger than in his first book. Enjoy!

Reviews

Goodreads review by Manahil

Favorite passage: "Tell me not here, it needs not saying, What tune the enchantress plays In aftermaths of soft September Or under blanching mays, For she and I were long acquainted And I knew all her ways. On russet floors, by waters idle, The pine lets fall its cone; The cuckoo shouts all day at nothing In......more

Goodreads review by John

Possibly one of the most beneficial rewards in reading a volume of verse is that the reader has a deeper understanding of the poet. It is as if the reader has reached out and touched the author's soul. And it helps us realize the spirit of the poet, as in all of us, evolves as time passes and someti......more

Goodreads review by Bhoomi

This was so beautiful. It’s not often that I read a whole book of poems in one sitting but this was such a lovely story. I like that he focused on what he could capture as real and succeeded. The writing style was everything I could want from a poet and I can see myself going back to these poems ove......more