The Convections

by Robert Kelly

Poems by Robert Kelly. From “The Heavenly Country”:
Once I thought it was the place my father brought me and my mother to, between the rivers up north. The near river was full of white stones bleached in the sun, and the banks on the far side were red clay. At night it was almost cold, so we slept with blankets or walked out in sweaters early morning to see deer or whatever else might reveal itself to us. That it is a matter of It willing to reveal to Us I have never doubted.

Genres: Poetry

Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

About the author

Kelly has published more than fifty books of poetry and prose, including Red Actions: Selected Poems 1960-1993 (1995) and a collection of short fictions, A Transparent Tree (1985). Many were published by the Black Sparrow Press. He also edited the anthology A Controversy of Poets (1965).Kelly was of great help to the Hungryalist group of poets of India during the trial of Malay Roychoudhury,with whom he had correspondence,now archived at Kolkata.

Kelly received the Los Angeles Times First Annual Book Award (1980) for Kill the Messenger Who Brings Bad News and the American Book Award, Before Columbus Foundation (1991) for In Time.

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this collection extremely profound and moving, but at times a little hard to move through, but I suppose it is a little that way with all volumes of poetry. I especially liked his play on W. C. Williams This is Just to Say. It was one of my favorites in this collection, just because it was so sweet, simple, but thought-provoking.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert Kelly's poems continue to demonstrate what gifts come to us through the practice of poetry. Though incredibly prolific, his work remains remarkably even. The Convections is one of what I consider his three best books, along with Flesh:Dream:Book and Kill the Messenger.

[Tommy · Rating 5 out of 5]

not only is he brilliant, he's my uncle.