Summer Snow: New Poems

Summer Snow is a collection of poems by Robert Hass, published in 2020. The book contains both short and long-form poetry written over a decade. The poems explore nature, relationships, and memory through observations of everyday moments in California landscapes and beyond. Hass records encounters with birds, trees, and changing seasons while connecting these natural elements to human experience. The collection moves between personal meditations and broader reflections on art, politics, and environmental concerns. Scenes shift from intimate domestic spaces to wild terrains, from past to present. The work continues Hass's examination of how humans perceive and process their place in the natural world, while considering questions of time, mortality, and interconnection. Through precise imagery and attention to detail, the poems suggest ways of seeing and being in relationship with our surroundings.

Readers comment on Hass's attention to detail and ability to capture natural imagery, with multiple reviewers noting his precise observations of plants, animals, and landscapes. His poems about grief, aging, and mortality resonate with many readers who appreciate the contemplative tone. Likes: - Clear, accessible language that avoids pretension - Integration of personal and political themes - Strong sense of place, especially California settings - Technical skill in both free verse and formal poetry Dislikes: - Some find the collection uneven, with stronger and weaker sections - A few readers note that certain poems feel too prosaic or lacking emotional depth - Several mention the length (200+ pages) leads to repetitive themes Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (126 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (22 reviews) One reviewer on Goodreads writes: "The poems about his late mother and childhood memories cut deepest." Another notes: "His environmental awareness feels urgent without becoming preachy."

The Wild Iris by Louise Glück Nature intertwines with human consciousness through meditations on gardens, seasons, and mortality.

What the Living Do by Marie Howe Personal observations merge with philosophical questions in poems that explore grief, time, and everyday moments.

Time and Materials by Robert Hass Earlier work from the same poet continues themes of ecology, memory, and California landscapes.

Sun Under Wood by Robert Hass These poems examine relationships between humans and nature through a Western American lens.

Geography III by Elizabeth Bishop Precise descriptions of places and objects reveal deeper truths about loss and human connection.

🌨️ Summer Snow is Robert Hass's first new collection of poems in ten years, published in 2020 when the poet was 79 years old. 🏆 Robert Hass served as the United States Poet Laureate from 1995 to 1997 and has won both the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry. 📖 The collection includes intimate domestic scenes, reflections on aging, and meditations on nature, particularly focusing on California's landscape and wildlife. 🌎 Many poems in Summer Snow address environmental concerns, reflecting Hass's long-standing commitment to ecological issues and his work as an environmental activist. 🎨 The book's title poem, "Summer Snow," is a 45-page sequence that weaves together personal memories, historical events, and observations of the natural world, representing one of the longest single works in Hass's career.