Next-to-Last Things: New Poems and Essays

Next-to-Last Things is a collection of poems and essays by Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Stanley Kunitz, published in 1985. The book combines new poetry with prose reflections on the craft of writing and the natural world. The poems traverse memories of childhood, meditations on aging, and observations of nature in Kunitz's characteristic spare style. The essays include discussions of poetry's role in society and Kunitz's experiences teaching and mentoring younger writers. Several pieces center on Kunitz's garden in Provincetown, Massachusetts, exploring the connections between cultivating plants and cultivating poems. The collection moves between past and present, examining life's transitions and transformations. The work grapples with themes of mortality, rebirth, and finding meaning in life's later stages through both creative and physical labor. Through his dual focus on art and nature, Kunitz suggests pathways toward wisdom and renewal.

Reviews indicate this 1985 collection resonates with readers for Kunitz's contemplations on aging, nature, and mortality. Readers appreciate: - His direct yet complex observations about late-life creativity - Integration of personal history with universal themes - Clear and accessible prose essays that illuminate his poetic process - Poems that balance intellect with emotion Some readers note the collection feels less cohesive than his other works, with essays and poems not always thematically linked. Ratings average 4.3/5 on Goodreads (72 ratings) 4/5 on Amazon (limited reviews) Notable reader comments: "The essays provide insight into both his craft and his evolution as a poet" - Goodreads reviewer "Kunitz at his most reflective and wise" - Poetry Foundation forum member "The garden essays feel somewhat disconnected from the poetry" - Amazon review This collection receives less attention than his other works but maintains a devoted following among poetry readers seeking perspective on creative aging.

The Wild Iris by Louise Glück Nature and mortality interweave through poems that speak with multiple voices, exploring themes of rebirth and contemplation similar to Kunitz's meditations.

Walking Light: Essays and Memoirs by Stephen Dunn These essays combine poetry criticism with personal reflection, creating a bridge between craft and experience in the tradition of Kunitz's prose works.

The Dream Songs by John Berryman The poems trace life's complexities through aging and loss while maintaining a connection to nature and personal history that echoes Kunitz's preoccupations.

Above the River: The Complete Poems by James Wright Wright's collected works present a deep engagement with landscape and memory, reflecting the same attention to life cycles found in Kunitz's poetry.

The Collected Poems by Stanley Plumly The volume presents work that chronicles the intersection of natural world and human experience through a clear-eyed examination of mortality and time.

🌟 Stanley Kunitz became U.S. Poet Laureate at age 95, making him the oldest person to hold this prestigious position. 📚 "Next-to-Last Things" was published in 1985 when Kunitz was 80, yet he continued writing and publishing for another two decades. 🌿 Besides poetry, Kunitz was a passionate gardener who created the famous Provincetown Community Garden in Massachusetts, which influenced many of his nature-themed poems. ✍️ The essays in this collection reveal Kunitz's deep connection to Russian literature—he translated several Russian poets and was particularly influenced by Anna Akhmatova. 🏆 By the time this book was published, Kunitz had already won nearly every major American poetry award, including the Pulitzer Prize (1959) and the National Book Award (1995).