This Time: New and Selected Poems

This Time: New and Selected Poems compiles works from Gerald Stern's previous collections along with new pieces written between 1998 and 1993. The volume spans over two decades of Stern's poetry and serves as a comprehensive overview of his work. The poems move through locations including Pittsburgh, New York, Paris, and various European cities while exploring memories of childhood, family life, and cultural identity. Stern's voice maintains consistency throughout the collection as he documents both personal experiences and broader historical moments. Themes of Judaism, American life in the mid-20th century, and the connection between past and present run through the collection. The work reflects on mortality, survival, and the preservation of memory through poetry while maintaining a complex relationship with tradition and heritage.

Readers appreciate Stern's personal yet universal perspective, with many noting how his poems about family, nature, and Jewish identity resonate deeply. The collection's strength lies in capturing small moments with deep emotional impact. Positive reviews focus on: - Accessible language that maintains poetic depth - Strong narrative voice and storytelling - Effective mix of humor and serious themes Common criticisms mention: - Some poems feel repetitive in theme - Later works not as strong as earlier pieces - Occasional overuse of Jewish cultural references that may alienate some readers Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (87 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (6 reviews) One reader on Goodreads writes: "Stern finds meaning in the ordinary - a sandwich shop, a lost glove, city pigeons - and transforms them into moments of revelation." Another notes: "His rambling style can be off-putting at first, but the conversational tone draws you into his world."

Selected Poems by Sharon Olds The poems chronicle personal history and family relationships through unflinching observations of domestic life and the human body.

The Wild Iris by Louise Glück The collection interweaves themes of nature, mortality, and spiritual questioning through dialogues between flowers, gardeners, and deities.

Without by Donald Hall The poems trace loss and grief following the death of a spouse while connecting to rural New England landscapes and memories.

What Work Is by Philip Levine The collection examines working-class life in industrial Detroit through narrative poems that blend personal experience with social commentary.

The Dream Songs by John Berryman The sequence of poems features an alter ego named Henry who navigates loss, depression, and American culture through innovative language and form.

🌟 This Time earned Gerald Stern the National Book Award for Poetry in 1998, marking a career milestone for the then 73-year-old poet. 📝 Stern's distinctive poetic voice in this collection draws heavily from his Jewish heritage and his upbringing in Pittsburgh during the Great Depression. 🎭 Many poems in the collection explore Stern's complex relationship with his immigrant parents and the loss of his older sister, who died before he was born. 🌿 The book includes both new works and carefully selected poems from Stern's previous collections spanning over 20 years, offering readers a comprehensive view of his poetic evolution. 🏛️ Stern's work in This Time reflects his reputation as one of American poetry's "class clowns" who could seamlessly blend humor with profound observations about mortality and memory.