William Jay Smith has been one of the most respected figures on the literary scene for more than half a century. Two of his thirteen poetry collections were finalists for the National Book Award, and the present volume is clearly the work of a true American master.The volume opens with a poetic sequence, "The Atoll," concerning the tiny coral island of Palmyra during World War II. Finding himself on the narrow rim of an extinct volcano at almost the exact center of the Pacific, water on all sides, breakers pounding the reef, the poet evokes the distinct sensation that he had of being at the heart of Herman Melville's "oceans vast." In lines resonant and memorable, he recalls the "terrifying beauty" of standing at night on what seemed then the very edge of the earth.The poet next addresses our current daily terror -- war and destruction. In "Invitation to Ground Zero" he presents a moving tribute to a victim of the September 11 disaster, while in "Willow Wood" a soldier, having recently lost both his legs in a roadside blast, utters without a trace of self-pity strong words on future wars. Tragedy marks many of these pages, but Smith does not forget his lifelong commitment to witty and satiric verse. To introduce several hilarious pieces, he reprints the celebrated poem "Dachshunds." Simplicity and musicality have given his wedding songs a wide audience. Several of them are here, including an extraordinary new one, "The Bouquet."Variety has always characterized Smith's work. Words by the Water is particularly varied and unusually youthful and fresh.
Author's NotePreludeThe AtollThe AtollOf IslandsNote: PalmyraOn His Dark BedReflectionThe GardenThe FlightNote: The AtollThe HuntWillow WoodInvitation to Ground ZeroContemplation of ConspiracyThe Poor Peacock and the Rich PeacockPerfect Lives: PortraitsRiddlesThe Artist and the ArenaThe HuntThe Deet and the Dachshund: Light Verse and SatireDachshundsAuthor, AuthorThe Literary LifeEpitaphsOn the Banks of the MississippiOxford DoggerelTranslationsHarry Martinson: The Forest of ChildhoodHarry Martinson: PeoniesHarry Martinson: The HenhousePaul Valéry: PomegranatesJules Laforgue: The Far WestKjell Hjern: On the Growth of Hair in Middle AgeJean-Max Tixier: WritingBasho: HaikuSándor Weöres: The Lunatic CyclistSándor Weöres: Boundless SpaceThe Greatest Wealth: Wedding SongsNow Touch the Air SoftlyThe BouquetSong for a Country WeddingThe Greatest WealthWords by the WaterOld Cherokee Woman's SongSong of the DispossessedA Rational DepartureRhetorical QuestionCats in a Summer GardenTo the Memory of Hubert Creekmore (19071966)A Green OasisWoman at the PianoWords by the WaterAcknowledgments
""Words by the Water is very much recommended reading for poetry fans.""
