Listen to the Warm
by Rod McKuen
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Book Summary Information
Author: Rod McKuenEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 1967-08-12
ISBN: 0394403789
Number of pages: 113
Publisher: Random House
Book Reviews of Listen to the Warm
Book Review: IF IT MOVES YOU........
Summary: 5 Stars
I first became familiar with Rod McKuen's poetry in the late 1960s. I was digging through my books the other evening and out popped this small volume which my wife and I purchased soon after its publication. It has been a lot of years since I read this little book, and the offerings of the author. I remember I enjoyed many of his poems when I was much, much younger. Being a life long reader of poetry, and writer of bad poetry, I thought I would give this one a read and see if my feelings and taste have changed over the years, as they have in so many other areas.
Now my definition of good poetry is quite likely different than some. It is certainly not an academics view of this art form, nor is it an opinion from someone who has never read a poem or a work of poetry in their lives. I view good poetry as that which moves the reader in some fashion. It can be delight, sadness, anger, dread, depression, happiness or any other emotion or feeling you might want to come up with. If it moves you, it is good. Conversely, if you receive no emotional kick out of it, then it is probably bad. The thing is, it all depends upon the individual reading it. I discuss poetry a lot with friends and family. Some like one poet, others like another, and some could care less. As an example, I absolutely despise the work of Allen Ginsberg and in particular his work Howl; dose that make this work "bad poetry?" It certainly does not. Many of my friends love this work and I certainly would not force my tastes and thoughts upon them. His work moves them. For them, Howl is a great work. My dislike for this poem and this poet only makes it a poet or a poem that this particular reviewer dislikes; it does not make it "bad." The same holds true for ever poet, musician, writer and artist who ever made their mark.
Can I compare McKune to Lord Alfred Tennyson, Poe, Longfellow, Hood, Emerson, Keats, or a plethora of others? Of course not. I would not even attempt such a thing. On the other hand, can I say that McKune's work has not touched me as much as some of these poets? Cannot say that either. It has indeed done so at times. Yes, Rod McKuens style is simple, at times it can be a bit cloying and he certainly makes plenty of errors with his grammar. If a particular work of his touches you though, do you really care? If, after reading his work, you cannot stand it, no one will hold a gun to your head and force you to read more..anyway, I hope they won't.
I enjoy this poets simple, heartfelt thought or thoughts. I like his easy style. I like the fact that you do not need a twelve hundred page dictionary and an advanced degree in Middle English or Norse History to set down and read him for the pure joy. Simple is sometimes best. Now I am not the most sophisticated individual in the world... that is for sure. While I have read literally thousands of works of poetry in my life, which has been relatively long, I am certainly no expert, nor have I had an academic background in poetry, other than most folks get while struggling through college...it certainly never was on my radar when declaring a major. Does that make me any less able to enjoy any particular work? I don't think so.
Rod McKuen is a good poet if his work moves you in anyway, and this is a wonderful little volume of his work and I do recommend it.
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