In 'What the Living Do,' Marie Howe masterfully intertwines raw emotion and vivid imagery as she navigates the complexities of loss and the mundane reality of life following tragedy. Each poem serves as a poignant reflection on grief, capturing the delicate balance between sorrow and the beauty of everyday experiences. With haunting authenticity, Howe invites readers to explore the depths of human connection and the enduring impact of those we've lost. Her lyrical style and intimate voice create an immersive atmosphere, making the reader feel as if they are walking alongside her through grief's shadow. This collection asks profound questions about the nature of existence and the ways we find meaning amidst the heartache.
By Marie Howe
Published: 1999
"‘We are all in a long story, we speak to each other even when we are silent, and it is in our wounds that we find our voices.'"
What do the living do? They make breakfast, shovel snow, make love, bury the dead, suffer and survive and remember and speak. Informed by the death of a beloved brother who in his dying could teach us how to be most alive, these poems touch the place where the inner life and the outer world meet--the moments when we realize that we are still living. 96 pp. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.
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“‘We are all in a long story, we speak to each other even when we are silent, and it is in our wounds that we find our voices.'”
What the Living Do
By Marie Howe
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Marie Howe is an acclaimed American poet and author, known for her compelling exploration of personal and universal themes. Born in 1950 in Rochester, New York, she has published several notable collections, including 'What the Living Do' (1997), which poignantly addresses grief and loss, and 'The Kingdom of Ordinary Time' (2003), which contemplates the sacred in everyday life. Howe's writing style is characterized by its lyrical beauty and emotional depth, often blending the personal with the philosophical. She is also known for her role as a professor, teaching poetry at institutions such as Sarah Lawrence College, and for her contributions to the literary community, including her work as a co-editor for various poetry anthologies.
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