Selected poems, 1957-1967 [of] Ted Hughes

by Ted Hughes

1972. First Published. 109 pages. Paperback book with pictorial cover. Pages and binding are presentable with no major defects. Minor issues present such as mild cracking, inscriptions, inserts, light foxing, tanning and thumb marking. Overall a good condition item. Paper cover has mild edge-wear with light rubbing and creasing. Some light marking and tanning.

Genres: Poetry

109 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Edward James Hughes was an English poet, translator, and children's writer. Critics frequently rank him as one of the best poets of his generation and one of the twentieth century's greatest writers. He was appointed Poet Laureate in 1984 and held the office until his death. In 2008, The Times ranked Hughes fourth on its list of "The 50 greatest British writers since 1945".
He married fellow poet Sylvia Plath in 1956, and they lived together in the United States and then in England, in a tumultuous relationship. They had two children before separating in 1962 and Plath ended her own life in 1963.

Reviews

[Steven Godin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poems selected By Ted Hughes from his early books -
'The Hawk in the Rain' (1957)
'Lupercal' (1960)
'Wodwo' (1967)

My favourites were -
Soliloquy
Wind
Mayday in Holderness
November
Song
Bowled Over
The Bear
Kreutzer Sonata
Skylarks

SONG

O lady, when the tipped cup of the moon blessed you
You became soft fire with a cloud's grace;
The difficult stars swam for eyes in your face;
You stood, and your shadow was my place:
You turned, your shadow turned to ice,
O my lady.

O lady, when the sea caressed you
You were a marble of foam, but dumb.
When will the stone open its tomb?
When will the waves give over their foam?
You will not die, nor come home,
O my lady.

O lady, when the wind kissed you
You made him music, for you were a shaped shell.
I follow the waters and the wind still
Since my heart heard it and all the pieces fell
Which your lovers stole, meaning ill,
O my lady.

O lady, consider when I shall lost you
The moon's full hands, scattering waste,
The sea's hands, dark from the world's breast,
The world's decay where the wind's hands have passed,
And my head, worn out with love, at rest
In my hands, and my hands full of dust,
O my lady.

[bowiesbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely incredible poems ooft.

[Jed · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not impressed with most of the poems. Some very good though. Will read more Hughes

[sophia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5