Wild Is the Wind

Wild Is the Wind is Carl Phillips' thirteenth poetry collection, published in 2018 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux. The collection contains lyric poems that explore relationships, desire, and mortality through both personal and mythological lenses. Phillips draws connections between human intimacy and the natural world, particularly focusing on wind, water, and wilderness as recurring motifs. The poems move between moments of tenderness and isolation, touching on themes of race, sexuality, power dynamics, and the complexities of love. Phillips employs his characteristic style of long, carefully structured sentences broken by white space and precise line breaks. Through these interconnected works, Phillips examines how humans navigate uncertainty and seek meaning in both solitude and connection. The collection raises questions about what binds people together and what forces - like the wind itself - can pull them apart.

Readers note Phillips' exploration of intimacy, desire, and human connection resonates through precise, contemplative poems. Several reviews mention the power of his fragmentary style and use of white space. Readers appreciate: - Complex meditations on relationships and mortality - Incorporation of natural imagery and metaphors - Philosophical depth without becoming obscure - Musical quality of the language Common criticisms: - Some poems feel too abstract or distant - Collection's themes can feel repetitive - Occasional opacity in meaning Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (156 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (12 ratings) Notable reader comments: "The way he circles around ideas, approaching them from different angles, creates a hypnotic effect" - Goodreads reviewer "Beautiful but sometimes frustratingly elusive" - Amazon reviewer "His syntax creates tension between clarity and mystery" - Poetry Foundation comment

Crush by Richard Siken This collection explores desire, sexuality, and personal mythology through dense, urgent poems that mirror Phillips' intense psychological landscapes.

What the Living Do by Marie Howe The poems chronicle loss, love, and domestic moments with the same unflinching examination of human relationships found in Phillips' work.

Native Guard by Natasha Trethewey These poems weave personal history with broader cultural narratives using formal precision and lyrical complexity comparable to Phillips' style.

The Dream of the Unified Field by Jorie Graham This collection demonstrates the same philosophical depth and attention to the natural world that characterizes Phillips' poetry.

Study of the Object by Mark Strand The poems investigate desire, absence, and identity through spare, meditative verses that echo Phillips' contemplative approach.

🌟 Carl Phillips has won numerous prestigious awards including the Los Angeles Times Book Prize and the Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award 📚 The title "Wild Is the Wind" comes from a 1957 jazz standard performed by Johnny Mathis and later covered by Nina Simone and David Bowie 🖋️ The collection explores themes of desire, mortality, and the relationship between humans and nature through Phillips' signature style of complex syntax and line breaks 🎓 Phillips taught Latin for eight years before becoming a poet, and his classical training influences the precision and complexity of his language 📖 The book contains poems that challenge traditional forms of desire and love, examining both their destructive and redemptive qualities through the lens of same-sex relationships