If religious poetry may be thought of as a great river fed, in the English language, by two main streams--the devotional tradition, leading in recent times to Anne Sexton and John Berryman, and the contrastingly philosophical tradition, exemplified by William Blake--it is to the latter that this new book by Kelly Cherry belongs. In the poems of God's Loud Hand , Cherry conducts--often not at all devotionally, often with an honesty that precludes the emphasis on self that tends to be present in devotional poetry ("Lord ...
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If religious poetry may be thought of as a great river fed, in the English language, by two main streams--the devotional tradition, leading in recent times to Anne Sexton and John Berryman, and the contrastingly philosophical tradition, exemplified by William Blake--it is to the latter that this new book by Kelly Cherry belongs. In the poems of God's Loud Hand , Cherry conducts--often not at all devotionally, often with an honesty that precludes the emphasis on self that tends to be present in devotional poetry ("Lord save me," "Lord forgive me," "Lord help me")--a metaphorical investigation of the theological ideas. These are fiercely intellectual poems, which, in the way of T.S. Eliot, are more akin in their stringent analysis to Tillich or Niebuhr, perhaps, than to someone like Simone Weil. At their base in a willingness to ask Abraham's great question, "Shall not the Judge of all the earth judge wisely?" This intellectual boldness reveals itself in a formal argumentation rare in contemporary poetry. Like Donne or Hopkins, Kelly Cherry defines her terms, orders her points logically--no vagary or sentimentality appears here. The result of such exactitude is a kind of clarity, a grace, that seems to lift the poems off the page, to cause them to rise, make their own kind of ascension. It is as if these poems were larks--an exaltation of larks, as they say--that rise each morning to heaven's gate, but instead of singing hymns, they sing philosophy's own music. And in what a remarkable variety of keys, what a range of modes and moods. From the opening poems of historical and mythological drama, through the passionate love songs of the second sections, through the dark night of the soul that takes place in the third, to the orchestral outburst of the final group of poems--poetry celebrating its own freedom ot be poetry--in all these parts ("a chorus of lyrics," one might say) there is a symphonic unity that astonishes, an ode to joy.
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Add this copy of God's Loud Hand: Poems to cart. $15.07, like new condition, Sold by GreatBookPricesUK5 rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Castle Donington, DERBYSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 1993 by LSU Press.
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Fine. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 64 p. Southern Literary Studies. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Add this copy of God's Loud Hand: Poems to cart. $23.11, new condition, Sold by GreatBookPricesUK5 rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Castle Donington, DERBYSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 1993 by LSU Press.
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New. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 64 p. Southern Literary Studies. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Add this copy of God's Loud Hand to cart. $23.13, new condition, Sold by Books2anywhere rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Fairford, GLOUCESTERSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 1993 by MP-LSU LSU Press.
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PLEASE NOTE, WE DO NOT SHIP TO DENMARK. New Book. Shipped from UK in 4 to 14 days. Established seller since 2000. Please note we cannot offer an expedited shipping service from the UK.
Add this copy of God's Loud Hand: Poems to cart. $23.83, new condition, Sold by Ria Christie Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Uxbridge, MIDDLESEX, UNITED KINGDOM, published 1993 by LSU Press.
Add this copy of God's Loud Hand: Poems (Southern Literary Studies) to cart. $9.17, good condition, Sold by Aspen Book Company rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Denver, CO, UNITED STATES, published 1993 by LSU Press.
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Good. A well-loved companion. Corners and cover might show a little wear and you could find some notes or highlights. The dust jacket might be MIA it might have been a library book and extras aren't guaranteed-but the story's all there!
Add this copy of God's Loud Hand: Poems (Southern Literary Studies) to cart. $14.00, very good condition, Sold by Chatt PublicLibraryFoundation rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Chattanooga, TN, UNITED STATES, published 1993 by LSU Press.
Add this copy of God's Loud Hand to cart. $17.00, like new condition, Sold by Row by Row Bookshop rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Sugar Grove, NC, UNITED STATES, published 1998 by Louisiana State University Press.
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Fine. No Dust Jacket. Inscribed by Author(s) Second Printing. Signed. A Fine copy of the 1998 second paperback printing of this poetry collection. Nicely inscribed and signed by the author at the title page.
Add this copy of God's Loud Hand: Poems to cart. $23.12, new condition, Sold by Ingram Customer Returns Center rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from NV, USA, published 1993 by LSU Press.
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Very Good. Size: 5x0x9; Flat-signed by the author on the title page. Inscribed by the author on the title page. Minor shelf wear to wraps. Corners of text block lightly bumped. Text is unmarked.
Add this copy of God's Loud Hand to cart. $27.00, like new condition, Sold by Between the Covers-Rare Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Gloucester City, NJ, UNITED STATES, published 1993 by Louisiana State University Press.
