Hardheaded Weather: New and Selected Poems

by Cornelius Eady

Cornelius Eady’s new poems show him in full control of his considerable talents and displaying a rich maturity as he enters midlife. His poems are sly, unsentimental, and witty, full of truths that are intimate and profound.

Hardheaded Weather ranges widely, reflecting the newfound responsibilities Eady has assumed as he transitions from urban renter to nonplussed rural homeowner, as well as the sobering influence of war and the intimation of his own mortality. Yet even at his angriest, the poet has always had a depth of compassion rare in our polarized age, with a sense of humor that is both sophisticated and demotic. These poems will resonate deeply.

As exciting as the new poems are, his selected earlier poems dazzle, too, as they demonstrate the arc of Cornelius Eady’s maturation and the originality of his voice. Taken together, Hardheaded Weather forms a moving—and sometimes searing —testament to the power of poetry.

Genres: Poetry, African American Literature

224 pages, Hardcover

First published April 10, 2008

About the author

Like Joyce and Tolstoy, Cornelius Eady is an American writer focusing largely on matters of race and society, His poetry often centers on jazz and blues, family life, violence, and societal problems stemming from questions of race and class. His poetry is often praised for its simple and approachable language.

Reviews

[R.C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found myself bookmarking the earlier, shorter poems more than the later, longer work, but that's par for the course for me and poetry. The poet has a good eye for the meat of a subject, and his style was clear and powerful.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

New favorite poet

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strong, clear-eyed, conceptually apparent poetics.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like I know this poet, or that I should. His writing is so familiar and easy to me, as is his face on the jacket cover. His depth of compassion is strong, whether he's writing about his transition from urban renter to nonplussed rural homeowner, the sad facts of war, or his process of entering midlife. Funny, but I discovered that Marsha is a friend of his on Facebook. Perhaps she can introduce us--at our houses upstate, of course! "Migration" and "Recycling" speak to that bit of luck we all three share.

[Cedric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the accessibility of C. Eady's work, though the new work may come across as too accessible & simple for some... I will admit to having enjoyed the poems culled from his several poetry collections more than the new ones. Really loved the painfully honest poems about family, particularly the/his father. My dad knows nothing about poetry- and I think he might appreciate this stuff. Great buy.

[H]

"And summer
Has gauzed the air,"

writes one of my top three favorite poets in a new poem in a collection of all his hard-hitting books. His lines are clarity. I would recommend an earlier book instead of a collection of selections, which I tend to dislike in practice, but any and all of his other books are all great places to start, every time.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wide ranging

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

not 10 pages in and I'm hooked!

[Siel Ju · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy prosey reads - jazz and beats influence. Earlier poems tend to be more interesting. Themes: Racism, family, music.

[Inayah Bashir]

Eady is an amazing poet! Return to his work for inspiration