Book of Dog: Poems

by Cleopatra Mathis

Influenced by survival lessons from the natural world, Cleopatra Mathis’ Book of Dog traces a harrowing personal journey from hard endings—a divorce, the death of a beloved dog—to the fierce arrival of acceptance and change. All manner of life thrives in these pages–plovers, foxes, the companionable beetle on the bedpost, and the coyotes just beyond her back door. This poet’s discerning eye, focused on the stringent truth of what she sees around her, aims outward and refuses the sentimental. Throughout the search, she is guided by the unbounded faithfulness and wisdom of her noble and comic companions on the path.

Genres: Poetry, Literature

64 pages, Paperback

First published December 18, 2012

Reviews

[Don]

This was an interesting short collection of nature-related poems. It was a quick and enjoyable read.

[Brady Hawkins]

I don’t think I’m smart enough for poetry 😭

[AmyKBell]

Her poems entwine nature and her Self with pretty rigorous control and a lack of sentimentality that I found inspiring and lovely.

[Christina Borgoyn]

a great sense of healing this collection does through the lyrical voice of dog.

[Leonard]

I read several, but not all the poems in this book. I read the rather lengthy title poem, but was not moved or very impressed.

[James]

An excellent collection. I need to read more of Mathis's work.

[jen]

Some of this was interesting. Other parts were pretty strange. I liked some of them I actually didn't notice at first that the dog was speaking.

[jen]

Interesting

Not the type of poetry I typically read, but the voice was compelling if often unclear and the collection together formed a cohesive story.

[Phyllis Katz]

Great collection of poems