No one really requires such a large quantity of Carver's poetry. To be honest, I do have an appreciation for a select few of his poems. For instance, "Winter Insomnia" presents a unique atmosphere, "The Current" has its own charm, and "My Crow" is rather interesting. However, when it comes to the vast majority of his works, they often seem lacklustre and repetitious.

I don't know, perhaps the theme of lonely alcoholics with failed relationships just doesn't resonate with me. It might be that I'm looking for something more diverse and engaging in poetry. Maybe there are other aspects of human experience that I would prefer to explore through the medium of poetry.

Nevertheless, it's important to note that everyone has different tastes and preferences when it comes to literature. What one person may find unappealing, another might consider a masterpiece. So, while Carver's poetry may not be to my liking, it doesn't mean that it doesn't have value for others.

ULTRAMARINE has 'The Pen', and the first line goes: “the pen that told the truth went into the washing machine for its trouble...”

As a fountain pen user, this statement gave me a great deal of pain. I could vividly imagine the beautiful pen, perhaps with its sleek body and smooth nib, being carelessly tossed into the washing machine.

But as a writer, I knew just which pen it was. It was that special pen that had been by my side through countless writing sessions, the one that seemed to have a life of its own. It was the pen that had helped me express my deepest thoughts and emotions, the pen that had told the truth in my words.

I could almost feel the pen's frustration and sadness as it was subjected to the harsh treatment of the washing machine. It was like a faithful friend being betrayed.

This simple line from the poem had触动了 my heart and made me reflect on the importance of our writing tools. They are not just objects, but extensions of ourselves,承载着 our creativity and our stories.

This was actually sent to me by mistake, but then again, maybe it wasn't.

In a large order of books from Amazon one day, this particular book was included instead of something else that I had ordered. So, I simply put it on the shelf and didn't give it much thought. Then, one day, completely randomly, I just started flipping through it.

Lately, I've been making an effort to have at least one poetry book that I'm engaged with at any given time. I typically read one or two poems a day. This collection of poems by Raymond Carver is quite extensive, so it took me a while to get through. However, that might be the only aspect that I didn't particularly like about it. There was just an overwhelming amount of it. I had never read Carver before this, but I'm certain that I have been missing out. Carver, who is renowned as a short story writer, writes in a style similar to many other authors whom I know and love dearly. These poems are centered around life in middle America, dealing with ordinary and unprofound things such as fishing, cars breaking down, and lives facing more breakdowns.

Much of it is incredibly beautiful, making you wonder how much of the world has changed so drastically in such a short period of time. To find joy in such simple things as a cigarette or a cup of coffee, it's difficult not to long to return to that simpler time.

A lo largo de casi dos años, I have journeyed through the collected poetry of Raymond Carver. As I approach the end, when Carver realizes that he is going to die, his writing converges on the idea of living in the moment and transcending in our beloved ones. "Último Fragmento" is a poem that does justice to his entire body of work.

Reading collected poetry at a slow pace is a great experience. It allows you to walk through the lives of the authors, see how their style and life change, and how one does the same with them. Carver's autobiographical poetry says a lot in a little.

How much influence could Gordon Lish have had on his poetry? I don't know, but even in his early texts, Carver already showed promise. Many poems are short stories narrated with musicality. The consistency in both genres of his literature is noticeable.

I liked this book so much that when I closed it, I made a small prayer in gratitude to Carver for what he left us all.

### Fires (1983)

Distress Sale
I reach for my wallet and that is how I understand it:
I can't help anyone.───

Morning, Thinking of Empire
I want to say to hell with the future.
Our future lies deep in the afternoon.
It is a narrow street with a cart and driver,
a driver who looks at us and hesitates,
then shakes his head.───

### Where Water Comes Together with Other Water (1985)

Commerce
To have come this far in a single night!
But then I never knew when to stop.───

My Crow
A crow flew into the tree outside my window.
It was not Ted Hughes's crow, or Galway's crow.
Or Frost's, Pasternak's, or Lorca's crow.
Or one of Homer's crows, stuffed with gore,
after the battle. This was just a crow.
That never fit in anywhere in its life,
or did anything worth mentioning.
It sat there on the branch for a few minutes.
Then picked up and flew beautifully
out of my life.───

### Ultramarine (1986)

Earwigs
For a minute I was so taken
aback I didn't know if I should kill them,
or what. Then rage seized me, and
I plastered them. Crushed the life from them
before any could get away. It was a massacre.
While I was at it, I found and destroyed
the other one utterly.
I was just beginning when it was all over.
I'm saying I could have gone on and on,
rending them. If it's true
that man is wolf to man, what can mere earwigs
expect when bloodlust is up?───

### Appendixes:

Soda Crackers
You soda crackers! I remember
when I arrived here in the rain,
whipped out and alone.
How we shared the aloneness
and quiet of this house.
And the doubt that held me
from fingers to toes
as I took you out
of your cellophane wrapping
and ate you, meditatively,
at the kitchen table
that first night with cheese,
and mushroom soup. Now,
a month later to the day,
an important part of us
is still here. I'm fine.
And you—I'm proud of you, too.
You're even getting remarked
on in print! Every soda cracker
should be so lucky.───

The poems in this collection offer a diverse range of themes and emotions. In "Fires (1983)", the speaker's realization about not being able to help others through the simple act of reaching for the wallet is poignant. The image of the cart driver in "Morning, Thinking of Empire" adds a sense of mystery and hesitation. In "Where Water Comes Together with Other Water (1985)", the idea of going too far in a single night in "Commerce" and the ordinary yet beautiful departure of the crow in "My Crow" are both captivating. "Ultramarine (1986)" presents a violent encounter with earwigs,引发了关于人性中残忍一面的思考. The appendix, "Soda Crackers", takes a more light-hearted and nostalgic tone, reminiscing about a shared moment with the crackers. Overall, these poems provide a rich exploration of the human experience.

"Como ventanas a la vida" can be translated as "As windows to life". This phrase implies that something serves as a means to gain a better understanding or perspective of life.

For example, books can be considered como ventanas a la vida. Through reading, we can explore different worlds, experience various emotions, and learn from the wisdom of others.

Travel is another way to have como ventanas a la vida. When we visit new places, we encounter different cultures, traditions, and ways of living. This exposure broadens our horizons and enriches our lives.

In conclusion, como ventanas a la vida offers us opportunities to see beyond our own limited experiences and gain a deeper appreciation for the complexity and beauty of life.

By seeking out these windows, we can expand our knowledge, develop our empathy, and become more well-rounded individuals.

Beautiful.

I didn't know Carver was such a lover, not only of life but also of love and everything in between.

His poems are truly remarkable. Many of them have the power to make you stop in your tracks and savor the words carefully.

You'll find yourself enjoying every single word and marvelling at how masterfully he put them together.

It's as if he has a magical touch that can turn ordinary words into extraordinary works of art.

Carver's love for life and love shines through in his poetry, making it a joy to read and explore.

Each poem is like a little window into his world, allowing us to see the beauty and wonder that he saw.

Whether it's a simple observation or a profound meditation, his words have the ability to touch our hearts and make us think.

Reading his poems is like going on a journey, a journey filled with emotions, insights, and discoveries.

It's a journey that I highly recommend everyone to take.

I have been reading this book for almost twenty days. Every noon, I would go up to the terrace and read it aloud.

It was beautiful, and I didn't want it to end.

Of course, I knew Carver's stories. They seemed incredible and unique to me. It almost always happens that writers who are not known for their poetry secretly write poems but never show them. And what they do show serves to understand why most people don't have the courage to do it.

Carver is the best exception to this rule. Since with the first verse, he describes the scene, and then it flows so beautifully that it makes you want to stay there and live forever.

His words have a magical charm that draws you in and makes you experience the emotions and worlds he creates. It's like opening a door to a different reality, one that is full of depth and meaning.

Reading his works has been a truly wonderful experience, and I can't wait to explore more of his writing.

Raymond Carver is truly remarkable and stands among my other favorite poets such as John Keats, Percy Shelley, and Denis Johnson, yet for distinct reasons.

The poets I've just mentioned, namely Keats, Shelley, and Johnson, have a remarkable gift for writing beautifully. Their words seem to dance off the page, creating a world of vivid imagery and enchanting emotions.

However, Raymond Carver approaches poetry from a different angle. He writes realistically, presenting the raw and unfiltered aspects of life. His poems are like snapshots of ordinary moments, yet they have the power to touch our hearts and make us see the world in a new light.

Carver's ability to capture the essence of human experience in a simple and honest way is what sets him apart. His poetry is a reminder that sometimes, the most profound truths can be found in the most ordinary of things.

In conclusion, while all of these poets are extraordinary in their own ways, Raymond Carver's realistic approach to poetry makes him a unique and invaluable addition to the literary canon.

It isn't easy to rate this collection.

The work fell into two distinct categories for me.

On one hand, many of the poems were extremely moving. They had the power to touch my heart and evoke strong emotions. The words seemed to flow effortlessly, painting vivid pictures and telling stories that were both relatable and profound.

On the other hand, there were others that left me feeling completely indifferent. These poems failed to capture my attention or engage me in any meaningful way. The language felt flat and the ideas seemed unoriginal.

Overall, it's a mixed bag. While there are some truly outstanding poems in this collection, there are also others that could have been stronger. It's a testament to the diversity of the poet's work, but it also makes it difficult to give a single, definitive rating.

I guess it all depends on the reader's personal taste and what they are looking for in a poem. Some may be drawn to the more emotional and evocative pieces, while others may prefer something more cerebral or experimental.

Pequeños cuentitos en forma de verso

These are small stories told in the form of verse. They are like little gems that sparkle with creativity and imagination. Each line of the verse weaves a tale, painting vivid pictures in the reader's mind. Whether it's a story of love, adventure, or mystery, the words flow like a gentle stream, carrying the reader along on a journey of discovery. The rhythm and rhyme of the verse add a musical quality to the stories, making them a joy to read aloud. Pequeños cuentitos en forma de verso are a wonderful way to engage the reader and bring the magic of storytelling to life.

I don't read a great deal of poetry, but I truly relished this collection. However, I derived even more enjoyment from the earlier collections - Fires and Where Water Comes Together with Other Water.

By the time one reaches Ultramarine, and particularly in \\n  A New Path to the Waterfall\\n, Carver has forsaken the fishing streams and trailer parks that render his work accessible, poignant, and human. Instead, he has begun to concentrate on loftier subjects such as Greek mythology, Chekhov, and especially, dying.

The final collection is incredibly melancholy; it is quite a burdensome thing to peruse a plethora of poems regarding the poet's own impending death. Nevertheless, I connected with and was deeply moved by the vividness and lyrical essence, the angst and vitality of the earlier works to a far greater extent.

I also initiated reading this collection immediately subsequent to deciding to propose to my girlfriend. But of course, that likely had nothing to do with how I perceived the poems. Just kidding, it clearly had no bearing on that at all.