Delirium: Poems

Vassar Miller Prize in Poetry

by Barbara Hamby

Winner of the Vassar Miller Prize in Poetry, 1994.

Barbara Hamby makes her poems out of jokes, Italian phrases, quotes from saints and philosophers, references to meals eaten and wines drunk. In a fluid, compelling voice, she sets a stage, peoples it with real and imagined characters, spins them into dizzying motion, and then makes everything disappear as with a wave of a conjurer's wand, leaving the reader to wonder, “Did that happen, or did I dream it?” One leaves her poetry the way one leaves a dark theater on a July afternoon, convinced that the ordinary passions really won't do—they need to be larger, as large as they are in these poems.

Genres: Poetry

103 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1995

About the author

Barbara Hamby was born in New Orleans and raised in Hawai’i. She now lives in Tallahassee, Florida. She teaches creative writing in the English Department at Florida State University.

Reviews

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

... each morning fastidiously scrubbed by women
with large arms and cheeks like wholesome fruit.

[Joy · Rating 1 out of 5]

NOt into poetry. Not even sure why I got it.

[Nae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Manic elegance, glad when I was running my fingers across the poetry section did my index trip and stop at random here.

[FSU Alumni]

Barbara Hamby (B.A. '78, M.A. '81)

[BC Batcheshire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chose this book out of several options in my collection of poetry, and was thoroughly gratified. A satiation of senses within. I love it when discovery pays me back with exercise of the parts that still play in my heart.