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At last there is a significantly large volume of the majestic poetry of W.S. Merwin. Not that all of his other volumes of poems published through the years by Copper Canyon Press have been minor: the

At last there is a significantly large volume of the majestic poetry of W.S. Merwin. Not that all of his other volumes of poems published through the years by Copper Canyon Press have been minor: the length of the books does not begin to mimic the towering power of his work. But here in MIGRATION: NEW & SELECTED POEMS we have enough of his life’s work to truly appreciated the fact that he is an exceptional thinker, artist, involved human being, as well as a gifted man of letters. Winning the National Book Award in 2005 this volume belongs in the collection of everyone concerned with great literature and great poetry. Spanning from the past forty odd years of writing, the collection presents some of his finest older works as well as introducing some of the mystical new works that edge him toward Poet Laureate of America. Example: Lark In the hour that has no friends above it you become yourself voice black star burning in cold heaven speaking well of it as it falls from you upward Fire by day with no country where and at what height can it begin I the shadow singing I the light This book is rich in such wonders. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, November 06