Still Life in Milford: Poems

by Thomas Lynch

A collection of poems by the highly acclaimed author of The Life Studies from the Dismal Trade , a National Book Award finalist. In Still Life in Milford Thomas Lynch tenders poems on life and death, history and memory, the local and the larger geographies. "[Thomas Lynch's] poems . . . are as stark and graceful as geese lifting off backwater. The poems trace from the rural midwest to London and County Clare, a quiet elegy of loss and testament. But then Lynch is by trade a mortician, and by craft a bard."―Amazon.com "[Lynch] evinces a steady wisdom drawn from years of passionate attention to daily experience."― Seattle Weekly

Genres: Poetry, Nonfiction

140 pages, Paperback

First published June 18, 1998

About the author

Thomas Lynch has authored five collections of poetry, one of stories, and four books of essays, including National Book Award Finalist The Undertaking. He works as a funeral director in Milford, Michigan, and teaches at the Bear River Writer’s Conference.

Reviews

[Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm revisiting this remarkable little book of poems that I read many years ago, and remember now why Thomas Lynch's writing once resonated with me so much. An Irish-American, Michigan-born undertaker who lives part-time in County Clare, Ireland, Lynch knows a thing or two about life and death and what's important. He also puts words together in a skillful, spare, insightful, and affecting way. Very much worth reading.

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone who has died in my family has passed through Thomas Lynch's establishment. He is a great read, small town charm with academic thought. In this book he uses some of his son's art work, the talent in the family runs deep.

[S.J. McKenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know much about poetry but I know what I like.

Funny, this came in close succession to my attempt to read some W.B Yeats, which suuuuucked. But these poems are awesome and genuinely moving. It really made me feel very Irish, until I realised he was talking about Canada. Actually I'm not sure, maybe he was talking about both.

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned a lot about "book arch" from this collection: how too give shape to a collection of poems. Lynch knows what he's doing here.

[Sarah Paps · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I appreciate most about Thomas Lynch is his ability to craft an emotional story with very few words, sometimes as little as 5 lines. That and his ability at leading up to perfect, lasting and wrenching endings. Sometimes I wonder if he has a last line already written and writes his poems backwards. His killer last lines are something to be admired.

Grimalkin and Other Poems was the first collection I read by Lynch and it blew me away. That collection along with this one follow similar themes. He is not afraid to go to very dark and uncomfortable places when describing life, death, love and simply living. Some of the poems here really shook me and got me thinking.

I find a poetry collection is successful when you can flip the last page and feel like you have been handed a piece of the writer's soul, that you know them in some secret way, or that you leave the book behind with new thoughts and ideas and feelings. This collection definitely did those things.

I didn't feel for every single poem in this collection since I am highly sensitive to word choice and subject matter, but the ones I did feel for I thought were amazing. Lynch inspires me and I love a dark poet.

[Marguerite Hargreaves · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the man's essays. I love poetry. But I didn't love Thomas Lynch's poetry -- except for "Iambs for the Day of Burial:
Of all our private parts the heart knows best
that love and grieving share the one body ...
Love made and love forsaken --
each leaves us breathless and beatified."

and this nugget:
"You keep your pope and robes and host and chalice.
Leave me my loaf and bowl and taste for malice."

This isn't one I'd read over and over, so it will be given to the library, making room for something else on the 28.5 inches of bookshelves I've allotted for poetry.

[Benedict Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't read a lot of poetry, but I saw Thomas Lynch reading in NZ in 2000 and have had the book sitting on my shelf unread for the last 14 years. Now that I've read it I'm pleased I did.
As will all poetry I like, there were lines that resonated strongly with me.
"Love is grief
dressed in its Sunday best.

And sadness is the tax
assessed on
any happiness."

[R.R. Tavárez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I find this author's works to be brilliant. His mastery of vocabulary, imagery, and the tension he rests in between life and death (as a funeral director) are well channeled through his poetry and prose. Bravo Mr. Lynch. I look forward to reading more.

[Cristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading his poetry is a treat. Hearing him read his poetry is the chocolate icing on the extra fudge brownie.

[Alane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Undertaker and poet? Be still my heart.

[Stacy McCullough. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thomas Lynch edited my poems. And he liked them. And I have a shirt with his head on it. No big deal.

[Blake Snavely · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

An undertaker turned poet...I love this collection for its strange blend of life and death and beauty. I just reread it and "The Hammock" is my favorite!

[Devon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Graceful and vivid poems,though I think Lynch's genius is in the essay.

[John Yarbrough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lynch makes you laugh and cry within its pages..I've kept this book for memory