The Poetry Life: Ten Stories

by Baron Wormser

Baron Wormser brings to life the immense force poetry can have in people’s lives. In stories funny, tender, sad, and edgy, the narrators register how poetry has changed how they see themselves, how they live, and what they care about. As it bends genres by adapting aspects of fiction, biography, essay and monologue, The Poetry Life shows how poetry can be lightning in the soul. “Baron Wormser has pulled off a miraculous feat―he has written a collection of stories that reveals the absolute necessity of poetry in our lives. His prose style is riveting, and his characters are as diverse as a phone book. Each voice conjures up a passionate portrait of inner life, telling us―through episodes both comic and tragic―that the world of the deceased poet remains eternally relevant to our own.” ―Clint McCown, author of The A Novel “‘Poetry,’ Baron Wormser writes, ‘is about generosity.’ So too are these ten stories you hold in your hands. They are about generosity. And mystery. And loneliness. And life. They are about how poetry helps us ‘stay in our skins.’ You will fall in love with these stories and with the ten poets who appear in them. What Baron Wormser says about William Carlos Williams, I say about him here, ‘He nailed it.’” ―Ann Hood, author of The Knitting A Novel “A book of stories not about poets but driven by the presence of poetry and the shadows of madness undoubtedly. But the best kind of madness! With this book, Baron Wormser invites us to reconsider the connection between poetry and our lives, to remember that we really do live hungry for inner vision, for small insights that can save us from the slag heap of goofdom and pointlessness. It’s a wonderful book. It’s the kind of stuff that makes you want to stay in the world. ” ―Tim Seibles, author of Buffalo Head Solos

Genres: Poetry

210 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2008

Reviews

[Mia Parviainen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw this at a bookstore in Burlington, VT, and decided to buy it since two years prior, I had met the author at a writing conference. I didn't read the blurb on the inside jacket, so I was under the impression that it was about ten poets themselves. As I read, I found that it is, and it isn't.

If I had read, I would have learned that the book contains 10 short stories with fictional narrators (although I get the impression that there's more reality than imagination in the last story). Each story is in a different voice, telling a story about his or her life, and how a poet's life and work intersects. The stories are arranged in chronological order, by the birth date of the poet featured.

First, let me confess that sometimes I like reading books of short stories and essays more than novels because I actually get to finish something. Far too often, I start to tackle novels, and then get distracted and never finish. Since each story is self-contained, it's easy to read a story, set the book aside, and go back later. Or, as many do with Netflix, binge on a story or two or three. Each story contains references to the poets themselves, and sometimes a sample or two of their work. Some were poets I knew well (William Carlos Williams). Others were poets that I had never heard of before, like Elinor Wylie. Knowing about the poet gave me a deeper level of insight into the themes of the story. Not knowing the poet gave me increased curiosity into his or her life--what did she or he write? Why? Knowing or not knowing doesn't provide an inherent advantage.

Second, I'm amazed at the variety of voices in the book. Sure, the stories all work on their own, but the entire collection provides a curious assortment of people. As a writer, I always wonder how writers go about writing in the first person in a voice that is not even close to their own--for example, Wormser writes in the voices of some female characters with a level of insight and incisiveness that is surprising. The voices are convincing, poignant, and at times funny and sad.

Third, as a writer, teacher, and reader, I'm now starting to think about how various poets have impacted me and how I might need a bit more poetry in my own life. I think of the third act of Thornton Wilder's "Our Town," when Emily asks the Stage Manager if anyone really realizes life while they are living it. His response: "No. The saints and poets, maybe they do some."

Who should read this book: people who love poetry, people uncertain about poetry, people looking to realize life while living it, people who want to feel a gamut of emotions as they read.

[Jimmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I probably shouldn't have liked this book as much as I did, but I did. The author writes about ten different poets using ten fictional narrators. For example, he uses a carnival worker to talk about John Berryman and racism. I thought it was pretty creative.

[Aine MacAodha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading, The Poetry Life' a book not about poets but driven by the presence of poetry. A must read and I would highly recomend it.
Aine