Ten Poems to Last a Lifetime

Up to his usual brilliance!

For those who are unsure over how to start with poetry or relate to it (and probably the experts too) Housden awakes in us the aspects that perhaps we would miss in the poem and he does it with such charm and infectious love for poetry. It illuminates!

I have read every poetry book Roger Housden has written and I owe him a huge debt of gratitude. He has introduced me to poets I would never have met and now just love. Unfortunately, usually the only poetry books one finds on the shelves are the tried and true. He has some of those sprinkled in, but he also has some you will never know about unless you read his books.His commentary is very personal and enlightening. If I have any negative criticism, it is that he sometimes belabors his personal life a bit too much. But be patient, he'll forge on and once caught in the poetry, leaves the personal behind.I have written to him to ask him to please continue to write these books. I believe he has set a limit of six poetry books. Not nearly enough!! More!! More!!

I read and write poetry and own many poetry books. I enjoy Roger Housden's commentary nearly as much as the poems he selects. I'd especially recommend his books for a person not "way into" poetry.

A beautiful book compiled and written (the essays) by a beautiful person! I wish I had the resources to put all the "ten poems..." books in every school in the country. I've ordered all these Roger Housden books and have not been disappointed with a single one.