Destination Zero: Poems 1970-1995

by Sam Hamill

Sam Hamill is the author of over thirty books of poetry, essays and translations of poetry from classical Chinese to Ancient Greek.

“Sam Hamill’s poems have been part of my indispensable reading for many years. Direct, earthy, yet intelligent and sensitive, they are in the best tradition of the American West, I think, and at the same time in a beautifully original voice with touches of Oriental subtlety. Very highly recommended.”—Hayden Carruth

Genres: Poetry

236 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1995

About the author

Poet, editor, translator, and essayist, Sam Hamill is author of more than thirty books including two from BOA Editions, Gratitude (1998), and Dumb Luck(2002). He has been the recipient of numerous awards and fellowships, including ones from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Guggenheim Foundation, the Woodrow Wilson Foundation, the U.S.-Japan Friendship Commission, two Washington Governor’s Arts Awards, the Stanley Lindberg Lifetime Achievement Award for Editing, and the Washington Poets Association Lifetime Achievement Award for poetry. He co-founded Copper Canyon Press, and has worked extensively in prisons and with battered women and children.

Reviews

[Nick Milinazzo · Rating 4 out of 5]

And what is a life? And what is a day?
An old man's loneliness which can't be shared.
A young woman's works and dreams.
And a spark of life between.

Most of these poems are about man's relationship to nature: how we desire to become one with it, but are confined to our flesh and bones instead of the oceans and forests. It pays homage to classical poets as well of those of Japanese, Greek, and Chinese heritage. The prose if quiet yet dignified -- his works honest and sincere. He often expresses the importance of solitude, as this is when one can more know oneself as well as nature. Overall an enjoyable collection from a reader with little poetry experience.

[Phillip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting Collection. General impression of mine is dark somewhat depressing and strongly regretful. Seems to try to hard to incorporate classical and literary allusions resulting in some odd nonsensical forced constructions. Longer poems wander and tend to lose focus. Lots of Pacific NW Imagery.

2.75 / 5.0

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Distinctly Western poetry infused with Asian nuances.