This collection presents a diverse range of works. It is truly a mixed bag.

Despite this, I am still awarding it five stars. The reason being that when Roethke was at his best, he was truly outstanding.

I particularly took a liking to “The Lost Son.” It has a unique language and themes that set it apart. It gives the impression that it could only have been penned by Roethke himself.

There are numerous other excellent poems as well. I am struck by the large number of wonderful love poems he wrote. They seem somewhat incongruous when placed alongside those in which he vents his rage in the mire of physical existence.

Throughout the collection, there is a constant struggle between the flesh and the spirit, as well as an awareness of death. Many images recur, such as stone, snail, snake, and the basic elements, especially fire and water.

He was also fixated on birds and, being the son of a greenhouse, flowers.

A telling line from “What Can I Tell My Bones” appears to be a key to Roethke’s perceptions and obsessions: “The dead love the unborn.”

Roethke is acutely aware that his individual self is part of a vast network of being. He is connected not only to all of nature, both animate and inanimate, but also to all that has come before or will come.

His longing for reconnection with this leads not only to the imagery of rebirth but also extends to a recapitulation of evolution.

The self-referential “worm,” which is conventionally an expression of self-loathing in the works of other writers (and at times in Roethke’s as well), is, for him, a sign of kinship.

Roethke’s nursery poems also point in the same direction, a recapturing of simplicity. However, for the most part, these songs of experience-informed innocence do not resonate with me.

Nevertheless, there are many poems in this book that I will return to time and time again.

I truly love his poetry. The reason for this is that his metaphors are extremely direct and vivid. They have the power to paint a clear picture in my mind, making it easier for me to understand and connect with the emotions and ideas he is trying to convey. His unique writing style has had a profound impact on me. It has inspired me to take up the pen and start writing poetry myself. Whenever I read his works, I am filled with a sense of excitement and motivation. I feel as if I have been given a new perspective on the world and a new way to express my own thoughts and feelings. I am grateful to him for his wonderful poetry and for the inspiration it has provided me.

I had a deep affection for several of these poems. In particular, those that revolved around nature and his profound connection to it truly captured my heart. Selections from "Words for the Wind" and "The Far Field" possessed a rather Mad Hatter-like quality. It was as if I was Alice, tumbling down the rabbit hole, completely disoriented and unable to get my bearings or fully comprehend what was transpiring.

Among all the poems, "Open House" and "A Walk in Late Summer" were my absolute favorites. They had a certain charm and allure that set them apart. The words seemed to dance on the page, painting vivid pictures in my mind and evoking a range of emotions.

These poems allowed me to escape into a world of beauty and wonder, where nature was the star and the poet's connection to it was palpable. I found myself lost in their pages, savoring every word and line, and coming away with a newfound appreciation for the power of poetry to transport and inspire.

For me, it's all about the "North American Sequence" and the last book, The Far Field. These two literary works have captured my imagination and held my attention like no others. The "North American Sequence" offers a unique perspective on the continent, exploring its landscapes, cultures, and histories in a way that is both engaging and thought-provoking.

And then there's The Far Field, which takes the reader on a journey to a distant and mysterious place. The story is filled with vivid descriptions and complex characters, making it a truly immersive experience.

As for "My Papa's Waltz," well, let's just say it doesn't quite measure up. It may have its merits, but for me, it doesn't have the same depth and impact as the other two works. So, screw "My Papa's Waltz." ;)

My favorite book of poems is a collection that holds a special place in my heart.

It is filled with beautiful and profound words that have the power to touch my soul. The poems in this book explore a wide range of emotions, from joy and love to sadness and longing.

Each poem is like a small window into the poet's world, allowing me to experience their thoughts and feelings. The language used is rich and vivid, painting pictures in my mind and making me feel as if I am right there with the poet.

Some of the poems are short and concise, yet they convey a powerful message. Others are longer and more elaborate, taking me on a journey of discovery.

I love to read this book of poems when I am feeling down or in need of inspiration. It always manages to lift my spirits and make me see the world in a different light.

Overall, this book of poems is a treasure that I will cherish for a long time.

One of my poetry grandfathers is a truly remarkable figure.

He has a profound love for poetry that has endured throughout his life. His passion for the written word is contagious, and he has inspired countless others with his beautiful and evocative poems.

Grandfather's poetry is a reflection of his deep understanding of human nature and the world around him. He has a unique ability to capture the essence of a moment, a feeling, or a place, and bring it to life on the page.

His words have the power to move us, to make us laugh, to make us cry, and to make us think.

Grandfather is not only a talented poet but also a kind and gentle soul. He is always willing to share his love of poetry with others and to offer words of encouragement and support.

His presence in our lives is a blessing, and we are all the richer for having known him.

I am proud to call him my poetry grandfather, and I look forward to many more years of sharing his beautiful poems and his wisdom with him.

There are several poems by Roethke that I truly like.

Once in a while, I find myself thinking that he is brilliant. However, I've come to the conclusion that I can't read collections of his work. There is simply too much that I don't care for, and an excessive amount of repetition.

Primarily, it is the repetition of a mood of self-absorption that quickly becomes tiresome. Lust, guilt, the "poor you" attitude, and so on. Maybe if he had actually tried talking to a woman instead of fixating on their bodies, animality, and desirability, he might have had more success.

Even the poems about his wife (whom he married in middle age) don't really convey much about her personality as much as they do about his intense attraction to her. Personally, I would not be pleased if my husband described me as a "creaturely creature" or "my lizard, my lively writher."

Roethke reminds me just a little too much of those overly introspective and socially awkward guys in graduate school. I remember having to explain to them why someone was angry with them or why a certain action would get them into trouble.

And then they would start thinking I was their friend (by which they really meant a recipient of their ramblings), and I'd have to say things like "Theodore, dude! You really can't write a poem like that to your underage student! Huh? It's okay because she's dead?! Um, I'm not sure that makes it better... I think her parents might be upset... It would really be better if you... What? No, I don't want to hear a poem about how you masturbated by the pond in the woods! No, really, don't tell me about it!"

But as I mentioned earlier, there are some great passages in his work, and it is always interesting to observe how an individual's writing evolves over time.

This one poem reminds me of a slightly darker and dirtier Ogden Nash:

"The stethoscope tells what everyone fears:
You're likely to go on living for years,
With a nurse-maid waddle and shop-girl simper,
And the style of your prose growing limper and limper."

My favorite among the ones I hadn't previously encountered is the first poem in the collection, "Open House":

"My secrets cry aloud.
I have no need for tongue.
My heart keeps open house,
My doors are widely swung.
An epic of the eyes
My love, with no disguise.

My truths are all foreknown,
This anguish self-revealed.
I'm naked to the bone,
With nakedness my shield.
My self is what I wear:
I keep the spirit spare."

Most of these didn't make much sense. They seemed rather random and disjointed, lacking a clear purpose or connection.

However, there were a couple that I liked. These particular ones stood out to me for various reasons. Perhaps they had a unique perspective, an interesting idea, or a certain charm that caught my attention.

It's funny how in a sea of things that don't quite click, there are always those few gems that shine through. They make the whole experience worthwhile and give me something to hold onto.

I'm not sure exactly what it is about these that appealed to me, but there was just something there that made me take notice. Maybe it was a combination of factors, or maybe it was just a matter of personal taste.

Regardless, I'm glad I found those couple that I liked. They added a touch of brightness to an otherwise unremarkable collection.

Along with Wallace Stevens, he is my favorite American poet of the past century. His poems about life in Michigan, especially those set among the greenhouses, are truly remarkable. They are as great as the poems he wrote during his teaching days. As Camille Paglia has astutely pointed out, he is unfortunately not remembered or read enough in the present day. This is a great shame considering the remarkable freshness and vitality that his work exudes. Almost all of his poems possess a direct and immediate "in the moment" quality. This can be said of very few poets, whether in the present or the past. His works deserve to be rediscovered and appreciated by a wider audience, for they offer unique insights and beautiful expressions of the human experience.

Memory:

In the slow world of dream,

We breathe in unison.

The outside dies within,

And she knows all I am.

She turns, as if to go,

Half-bird, half-animal.

The wind dies on the hill.

Love’s all. Love’s all I know.

A doe drinks by a stream,

A doe and its fawn.

When I follow after them,

The grass changes to stone.

Memory is a mysterious realm that takes us to places we might never have imagined. In this dreamy world, time seems to slow down, and our breaths fall in harmony. The external world fades away within us, and there is someone who knows our every essence. She turns, with a strange grace, being neither fully bird nor fully animal. The wind ceases its movement on the hill, and all that remains is love, the only thing we truly understand. A doe and its fawn drink peacefully by the stream, but when we try to follow them, the grass beneath our feet turns to stone, as if nature is playing tricks on us. Memory holds these strange and beautiful moments, forever etching them in our minds.

A truly remarkable and extensive collection of poetry awaits. It is a treasure trove that invites readers into a world of deep meditation and spiritual exploration. The poems have the power to make one pause, reflect, and question the very essence of life. They skillfully probe into the mysteries and uncertainties that surround us, leaving us with a sense of wonder and a desire for more. Among these gems, the Greenhouse poems stand out as absolute classics. Their beauty and depth are simply captivating, drawing readers in and holding them spellbound. Each line seems to be carefully crafted, carrying with it a profound message that lingers in the mind long after the last word has been read. This collection is a must-read for anyone who has a love for poetry and a thirst for spiritual enlightenment.

The Collected Poems of Theodore Roethke is, as the title clearly indicates, a comprehensive compilation of all the poet Theodore Roethke's poetic works.

It consists of 200 poems that cover a diverse array of subjects and themes, presented in various styles and structures. The collection is organized into the books that originally published the poems, arranged in chronological order.

Overall, I derived great enjoyment from this poetry collection. Naturally, I had a stronger affinity for and connection with some of the poems compared to others. Among my favorites are those titled What Can I Tell My Bones?, Journey to the Interior, The Rose, and On the Quay.

This collection truly showcases Roethke's remarkable range of ability and talent in writing. It is truly impressive how, within just 266 pages, he manages to touch on such a vast number of different styles and themes.

I wholeheartedly recommend this collection to anyone who has a passion for poetry or is attempting to develop an interest in it. The reason being that this book offers such a wide and rich variety!