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There's a Trick With a Knife I'm Learning to Do: Poems, 1962-1978

michael ondaatje

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Selected and new poems offer glimpses of a private world in which images of horror are viewed through mirrors and prisms and in which madmen and animals inhabit a landscape of fearful natural beauty.

107 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1,1979
Literary awards
governor generals literary awards / prix littéraires du gouverneur général, 

This edition

Format
107 pages, Hardcover
Published
January 1, 1979 by W W Norton \u0026 Co Inc
ISBN
9780393011913
ASIN
0393011917
Language
English

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About the author

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michael ondaatje

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Philip Michael Ondaatje is a Sri Lankan-born Canadian poet, fiction writer, and essayist, renowned for his contributions to both poetry and prose. He was born in Colombo in 1943, to a family of Tamil and Burgher descent. Ondaatje emigrated to Canada in 1962, where he pursued his education, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto and a Master of Arts from Queen's University.
Ondaatje's literary career began in 1967 with his poetry collection The Dainty Monsters, followed by his celebrated The Collected Works of Billy the Kid in 1970. His poetry earned him numerous accolades, including the Governor General's Award for his collection There's a Trick with a Knife I'm Learning to Do: Poems 1973–1978 in 1979. He published 13 books of poetry, exploring diverse themes and poetic forms.
In 1992, Ondaatje gained international fame with the publication of his novel The English Patient, which won the Booker Prize and was later adapted into an Academy Award-winning film. His other notable works include In the Skin of a Lion (1987), Anil's Ghost (2000), and Divisadero (2007), which won the Governor General's Award. Ondaatje's novel Warlight (2018) was longlisted for the Booker Prize.
Aside from his writing, Ondaatje has been influential in fostering Canadian literature. He served as an editor at Coach House Books, contributing to the promotion of new Canadian voices. He also co-edited Brick, A Literary Journal, and worked as a founding trustee of the Griffin Trust for Excellence in Poetry.
Ondaatje's work spans various forms, including plays, documentaries, and essays. His 2002 book The Conversations: Walter Murch and the Art of Editing Film earned him critical acclaim and won several awards. His plays have been adapted from his novels, including The Collected Works of Billy the Kid and Coming Through Slaughter.
Over his career, Ondaatje has been honored with several prestigious awards. He was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1988, upgraded to Companion in 2016, and received the Sri Lanka Ratna in 2005. In 2016, a new species of spider, Brignolia ondaatjei, was named in his honor.
Ondaatje's personal life is also intertwined with his literary pursuits. He has been married to novelist Linda Spalding, and the couple co-edits Brick. He has two children from his first marriage and is the brother of philanthropist Sir Christopher Ondaatje. He was also involved in a public stand against the PEN American Center's decision to honor Charlie Hebdo in 2015, citing concerns about the publication's anti-Islamic content.
Ondaatje's enduring influence on literature and his ability to blend personal history with universal themes in his writing continue to shape Canadian and world literature.

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Community Reviews

Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 17 votes)
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17 reviews All reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
UNKNOWNINTERESTS
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Ondaatje's meditative speakers engage in deep reflection on various aspects such as the family, artifacts, and light. Their thoughts are presented in a series of poems that offer a candid and intimate look into the human psyche. The collection of introspective verse is a powerful exploration of the self and the world around us. Each poem seems to be a window into the speaker's soul, revealing their joys, sorrows, and moments of epiphany. The use of vivid imagery and sensory details brings the poems to life, allowing the reader to experience the emotions and thoughts of the speakers. Through his unique style and voice, Ondaatje has created a collection of poems that is both thought-provoking and deeply moving.

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BemusedFrog
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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The earliest work presented here is often shrouded in mystery and is truly captivating.

The shorter poems frequently possess the greatest power. One of my absolute favorites is "Biography", which is about a dog. It contains vivid and striking imagery, along with a palpable sense of longing. "Application for a Driving License", which is even shorter, is also visually captivating and has a potent impact.

Ondaatje has a painterly eye and a remarkable way with imagery. He makes references to Rousseau and Chagall, among others, who just so happen to be two of my personal favorites. Additionally, he has a dry and dark sense of humor that I particularly enjoy.

Much of his work revolves around the theme of family, drawing the reader in without being overly sentimental. His love poems are erotic and intense, brutally honest and stripped down to the bare minimum of words while still appealing to a universal audience. This is an extremely difficult feat.

I especially liked "Postcard from Picadilly Street", "White Room", "Spider Blues", "Country Night", "Buying the Dog", "Sweet Like a Crow", and "Light". As I delved deeper into the book, I found myself liking the poems more and more. I'm not sure if this was due to adjusting to and learning his style and voice, or if it indicates a maturation process, considering the book covers a 15-year period. It's probably a combination of both.

This collection is well worth reading.
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Freebie123
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I have a deep affection for Ondaatje, and within this compilation of his early poetry, there are certain moments that vividly foreshadow what is to come.

The book is divided into three distinct sections, which meticulously trace the evolution of the voice that would later reach full bloom in works such as The Collected Works of Billy the Kid and Coming Through Slaughter.

Several of the poems within this collection truly resonate with me. "Billboards" presents a unique perspective, perhaps on the impact of advertising in our lives. "Spider Blues" might evoke a sense of mystery and the unknown, much like a spider weaving its web. "The gate in his head" could be a profound exploration of the inner psyche. "Country Night" likely描绘s the宁静 and beauty of a rural setting under the cover of darkness. And "Light" might symbolize hope, illumination, or a new beginning.

These poems offer a tantalizing glimpse into Ondaatje's creative genius and the journey that would lead to his more renowned works.
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Maleficent1996
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Love, the real and profound kind, has the power to terrify the dreamer right down to the very core of his being. It can send shivers through his soul and make him question everything he thought he knew.

Michael Ondaatje is truly a master of words. His ability to craft such evocative and thought-provoking lines is remarkable. However, while his poetry is beautiful and engaging, I find that I have a greater affinity for his prose.

In his prose, Ondaatje is able to paint vivid pictures and tell stories that draw the reader in and keep them captivated from beginning to end. His use of language is so rich and detailed that it feels as if you are actually there, experiencing the events and emotions along with the characters.

Whether it's through his poetry or his prose, Ondaatje has a unique talent for expressing the human experience in a way that is both powerful and moving.
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kawaiikitsune_
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Tiny narratives, those not quite compressed or distilled, lurch and mist into story.

They usually follow the same form and mode: stanzas divided at the phrase, with occasional word-drifts. And there's a poem with stanzas that starts with commas.

Often, the subject matter is domestic, yet not domesticated. He can write about dogs, moons, and wives without making the reader feel as if they're drinking dishwater.

These are sutured and grafted worlds, unconcerned with posing, evenness, form, length, depth, or avoiding repetition.

I'm especially fondest of the middle section, Rat Jelly. It has a certain charm and allure that draws me in and makes me want to explore it further.

The way the words are arranged and the ideas are presented in this section are truly unique and captivating.

It's as if a whole new world is being opened up, one that I can get lost in and discover new and interesting things.

The author's use of language and imagery in Rat Jelly is masterful, and it makes this section stand out among the others.

I can't wait to see what else the author has in store for us in this collection of tiny narratives.
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carumdezilch
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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In many ways, better than his fiction.

His non-fiction works often offer a unique perspective that is both engaging and enlightening.

Unlike his fictional stories, which may be based on imagination and creativity, his non-fiction pieces are grounded in real-life experiences and facts.

This gives them a sense of authenticity and credibility that can be truly captivating.

Moreover, his non-fiction writing style is often more straightforward and accessible, making it easier for readers to understand and connect with the ideas he presents.

Whether it's a memoir, an essay, or a work of journalism, his non-fiction works have the power to inspire, educate, and entertain.

They offer a window into his mind and his view of the world, and can leave a lasting impression on the reader.

In conclusion, while his fiction may be well-known and highly regarded, his non-fiction works are in many ways even better, and deserve to be recognized and appreciated for their own unique value.
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Legacy611
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I've been eager to read this for quite some time, and I wasn't let down.

Some of the poems, I'll admit, left me scratching my head. I felt a bit dumb for not being able to understand them right away.

However, a great number of them were truly beautiful and filled with profound meaning.

Among all of them, my favorite was probably "War Machine".

This poem seemed to capture the essence of something larger than life.

It made me think about the complex and often disturbing nature of war.

The words in it painted a vivid picture in my mind.

I could almost see the machinery of war in action, the chaos and destruction it brings.

Despite the heavy subject matter, there was a certain beauty in the way the poet described it.

It was a beauty that was both captivating and a little bit terrifying.

Overall, reading this collection of poems was a rewarding experience.

It made me appreciate the power of words and the ability of poetry to touch our hearts and minds.

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shadowedbeing
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I firmly believe that his poetry is of even greater merit than his fiction.

His poetry has a unique charm that captivates the reader from the very first line. It is filled with vivid imagery, profound emotions, and a masterful use of language.

The words seem to dance on the page, creating a symphony of sound and meaning.

In contrast, while his fiction may be engaging and well-written, it lacks the raw power and immediacy of his poetry.

His poetry has the ability to touch the soul and leave a lasting impression, long after the last word has been read.

It is a true art form, one that he has mastered with great skill and dedication.

Overall, I would highly recommend his poetry to anyone looking for a truly unforgettable literary experience.
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