Underground: New and Selected Poems

by Jim Moore

"Jim Moore writes of history, of love, of pain, of the intimate revelations of a consciousness alive to itself." ―C. K. Williams

"It's coming so fast,"

says an old woman across from me,
speaking to no one in

she nods her head in agreement with herself
and strictly speaking
who can argue with her? ―from "Underground"

Jim Moore's first career retrospective shows a poet whittling down experience to its essential confrontation with one's own limitations, whether it be time running short, or understanding running thin, or capacity to think or feel or love enough running low. Underground gathers the best poems from Moore's seven previous books and includes twenty new poems. This is the definitive volume by a poet of great depth and generosity.

Genres: Poetry

296 pages, Paperback

First published September 2, 2014

About the author

Librarian note: There is more than one author with this name.

Reviews

[Edgar Trevizo · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book, and what a beautiful poet. It was a delightful, though sometimes saddening experience. Jim writes a lot about death, as if constantly fearing it will come this day. Then he manages to get again to 7:04 pm and the next morning it starts again. The waiting. It is that kind of ride. Walking beside a cemetery's wall and noticing how the sun shines on it all along.

[Maitha Mana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book of life lessons. I can see my life flashing before my eyes whenever I read this book. Covers everything from loss, to birth, to love and memories.

[Anatoly Molotkov · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Afterward, /they covered with a simple sheet/ the face that had once been/ yours and now seemed empty/ of the god no longer inside it,/ no one ordering you/ to continue the cruel, miraculous work/ of being." "Underground" is a tender, thoughtful, self-effacing collection of melancholy ruminations infused with love for the world and for humanity.

[Augusta Dionysus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, emotional collection of poetry. Anyone who's a fan of poetry and is looking for a quick read will surely enjoy this collection that makes some of the simplest aspects of life appear extraordinary and profound.