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Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 72 votes)
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72 reviews
July 15,2025
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July 15,2025
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Really, these are like Carver mini stories - or stray thoughts.

It doesn't matter if they qualify as poems. I like reading them.

He's that worldly-wise friend who also appreciates details and beautiful moments.

You like listening to him because his words seem to paint vivid pictures in your mind.

Each story or thought is like a small gem, shining with its own unique light.

Sometimes, they make you laugh; sometimes, they make you think deeply.

They are a reflection of life's little joys and sorrows, captured in his words.

Whether it's a description of a beautiful sunset or a conversation with a stranger, he has a way of making it interesting and engaging.

Reading his works is like taking a journey through his mind, experiencing the world as he sees it.

And it's a journey that you are always happy to take.
July 15,2025
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Favorite Poems:

The Road

The road stretches out before me,

Endless and full of mystery.

It calls to me, whispering secrets,

Inviting me to explore its every twist and turn.

With each step, I feel a sense of adventure,

As if I'm on a journey to discover something new.

The wind gently caresses my face,

And the sun shines brightly above.

The road is my companion,

Guiding me through the unknown.

Money

Money, money, money,

It rules the world, they say.

It can buy you many things,

But can it buy you true happiness?

Some people strive for wealth,

Working hard day and night.

They accumulate piles of money,

But still feel empty inside.

Money may bring comfort and security,

But it can also bring greed and envy.

It's important to remember that money is just a tool,

And not the ultimate goal in life.

Next Door

Next door lives a family,

With children laughing and playing.

Their house is always full of life,

Filled with love and warmth.

I often hear their voices,

Carrying through the walls.

It makes me smile,

To know that such happiness exists.

Sometimes I wonder what their lives are like,

What kind of dreams they have.

Maybe one day, I'll have the courage to knock on their door,

And say hello to my neighbors next door.
July 15,2025
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I met some writing enthusiasts (the real deal, author types) and that led me to this book. I really liked it. It put me in a truly relational space.

So, not only did I mark the poems that I wanted to share or write secret notes to all my friends, but I also wrote two letters to friends and extracted two poems from the letter and the experience.

By our combined efforts. Raymond Carver made me do it. His works have always had a profound impact on me, inspiring me to express my thoughts and emotions in a more creative and meaningful way.

The process of writing these letters and extracting the poems was a wonderful exploration of my inner world and my relationships with others. It allowed me to connect with my friends on a deeper level and share my most precious moments and feelings with them.

I am grateful to have met these writing nerds and to have discovered this book, which has opened up a new world of possibilities for me as a writer and a friend.
July 15,2025
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Who could have known that I would fall in love with poetry? Well, I am indeed a poetry lover! At least, I'm a Raymond Carver poetry lover.


I'm in desperate need of help to discover other poets of the same caliber. I'm looking for those who don't rely solely on metaphors and similes to impress us.


I found this collection to be extremely lively. Although there were some dark parts, that's just how life is. Apparently, Raymond's life also contained some dark aspects. I felt as if I was being guided, spoken to directly, and not left to decipher tricky metaphors on my own.


Some of my favorite poems from this collection include: "Fear", "The Ashtray", "The poem I didn’t write", "My Dad’s Wallet", "The Pipe", "My Death", and "A Haircut". Each one of these poems has a unique charm and speaks to me on a deep level.


I can't wait to explore more poetry and find other poets who can touch my heart and soul like Raymond Carver has.

July 15,2025
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Carver has a remarkable talent that can break your heart seemingly without any effort, and this quality is present in many of these poems.

Composed in the mid-1980s, during the final years before his passing, they are a blend of bittersweet memories, melancholy, and the joy experienced in the present moment.

Living with poet Tess Gallagher in a house overlooking the Strait of Juan de Fuca in Washington (where Carver grew up in Yakima), he writes about the days that go by there, the frequent rains, and the boats sailing on the water.

He also traces the path of fleeting emotions, often sparked by long-forgotten memories.

He has the ability to unearth the extraordinary within the ordinary and can combine ideas with images from daily life that both disturb and shock the heart.

For example, when he recalls an old relationship while describing the drops and smears of blood left in a kitchen sink after gutting fish.

Just like his stories, these poems are written in plain, conversational language, yet they simultaneously evoke the darkly inexpressible.

Simple and direct on the surface, they are like being in a small boat on deep waters.
July 15,2025
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I've always had a profound love for his fiction. The way he weaves intricate plots and creates vivid characters has always been a source of inspiration for me. However, I had somehow forgotten just how much I also love his poems.

His poems are like little gems, each one containing a world of emotions and ideas. The words seem to dance on the page, painting pictures in my mind and touching my heart.

As I recently revisited his poetry collection, I was reminded of the beauty and power of his words. It was as if I was uncovering a hidden treasure chest filled with precious pearls of wisdom and beauty.

I am now determined to make more time to read and appreciate his poems, to let their magic wash over me and enrich my life. I am grateful for the gift of his writing, both in fiction and in poetry, and I look forward to exploring more of his works in the future.
July 15,2025
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Poetry has always been a mystery to me. It's something that I approach with a certain amount of wariness. You see, if you're not careful and you stumble upon an emotionally charged work, it has the power to wound you. I'm not entirely sure if I'm right about this, but if a poem makes you feel vulnerable, if it holds up a mirror that reflects the parts of yourself you'd rather not see, is it then a good poem? In any case, this is precisely how this book affected me.


It's a short collection that I find myself wanting to savor, to drink in slowly, taking measured sips. I believe Reanne got this from a thrift store in LA. The fact that it spent a few weeks inside a box, journeyed across the Pacific to reach me, and came with this distinct musky scent makes it all the more special.


To ensure that I don't forget, I will list my favorite poems in this collection. They are: The Road, Fear, The Ashtray, Where Water Comes Together With Other Water, Happiness, Rain, The Poem I Didn't Write, A Walk, Listening, Tomorrow, Venice, Reading Something in the Restaurant, and My Work. There's also a piece about Zurich that I'm bookmarking to share with my godmother who lives in Switzerland. I've never been there myself, but I have a feeling she might find something truly lovely within its words.


I think I can bestow upon this collection the highest compliment that a writer can receive: it makes me want to write. It makes me want to think more deeply, to be more mindful, and to be more cautious. It makes me want to live fully, if only to experience firsthand the places and emotions that are so exquisitely described within its pages. It makes me want to be less haphazard in my day-to-day life. I'm truly grateful that this book came into my life when it did. I hadn't even realized that I was searching for it.
July 15,2025
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Raymond Carver is an author whose works offer a very enriching reading experience.

His short stories are truly brilliant, captivating readers with their concise yet powerful narratives. But what many might not fully appreciate is that his poems are in many ways an extension of himself.

He is, and was, without a doubt, America's greatest writer.

If he had also written novels, he would surely be recognized as such by a much wider audience, not just by a few of us who are already aware of his genius.

Yes, I firmly believe that he is more important than literary giants like Mark Twain, Hemingway, Faulkner, Melville, and anyone else who comes to mind.

Raymond Carver wrote often, and his writing was of the highest quality.

His works have left an indelible mark on the literary world and continue to inspire generations of readers and writers alike.

July 15,2025
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Absolutely beautiful.

It was truly a remarkable piece that really touched me deep within.

The way the words were crafted and the emotions they evoked were simply outstanding.

I found myself completely engrossed in it from start to finish.

This experience has made me extremely eager to explore more of his work down the road.

I'm certain that there are many more hidden gems waiting for me to discover in his literary creations.

Each new piece is likely to offer a unique perspective and a fresh set of emotions to engage with.

I can't wait to embark on this journey of exploration and see where it takes me.

I'm confident that I'll continue to be amazed and inspired by his talent.

July 15,2025
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What I wish my poetry sounded like is a harmonious blend of emotions and words.

I envision it as a gentle breeze that caresses the heart, carrying with it the essence of my deepest thoughts and feelings.

My poetry would be like a beautiful melody, captivating the listener and taking them on a journey through my soul.

It would have the power to inspire, to comfort, and to make people see the world in a different light.

I wish my words could paint vivid pictures in the minds of those who read or hear them, allowing them to experience the emotions I felt when I wrote them.

My poetry would be a reflection of my true self, unfiltered and raw, yet still beautiful and meaningful.

It would be a gift that I could share with the world, hoping to touch the lives of others and make a positive impact.

This is what I strive for in my poetry, and I will continue to work hard to make it a reality.
July 15,2025
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Carver's focus is truly remarkable.

He has an extraordinary ability to discern which objects, movements, and instants hold the most significance.

With a keen eye and a deep understanding, he is able to identify these crucial elements in spare, direct language.

His writing style is简洁明了, allowing the reader to easily grasp the essence of what he is trying to convey.

By focusing on the most telling details, Carver is able to create a vivid and powerful image in the reader's mind.

His work is a testament to the power of observation and the importance of choosing one's words carefully.

Whether it is a simple object or a complex human interaction, Carver has the talent to make it come alive on the page.

His focus is a model for all writers and artists, showing us that sometimes less is more and that the most profound truths can be expressed in the simplest of terms.
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