The Poetry of Birds

by Samuel Carr

A collection of memorable poems whose subjects are birds themselves, from Chaucer's Chaunticleer to Hughes's Hawk Roosting, is illustrated with reproductions of notable drawings and paintings of birds

Genres: Poetry, Nature, Birds, Animals, Art, Nonfiction

88 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1976

Reviews

[Elizabeth☮ · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated book with poems about birds. Many of the poems focus on specific birds, others just a celebration of birds and their habits.

I liked many of the poets represented, but most of them are pre-date the twentieth century. I would have liked to see more contemporary poets incorporated in as well.

I think what I liked best is looking at Audobon's illustrations.

[Alex Boon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can’t fault the poems, though I wonder why Mary Oliver’s incredible ‘Wild Geese’ would be omitted from a book of the best bird poetry. Also, perplexed as to why I can’t find a mention anywhere in the book itself that the illustrations are Audubon. Seems a bit disrespectful not to mention that at all when the illustrations are so critical to the quality of this beautiful collection 🧐

[SANDRA GARNER · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely book to keep by the bed or "coffee table book". I've read it all and several poems lots of times. I like to just pick it up, flick the pages and read whatever I turn to.

[Marylou · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book, both for its illustrations and for its selection of poems.

[Katharine Sucher · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5. Just because a poem is from before the twentieth century doesn't mean it is good (looking at you, Tennyson's "The Eagle"). I would have liked to see better diversity of poets and more contemporary poems throughout. (Not a single Mary Oliver??) Beautifully designed though.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeous book!

[Lizzytish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and sweet poems about marvelous birds

[Lisa Griffee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the illustrations and enjoyable poetry.
It's a book that I'll continue to keep on the side table to pick up and just take a moment.

[Kilarev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked this up because I am a fan of all things birds and heavily interested in anything 19th century and before. This has lots of old poems and lovely illustrations, so it's perfect.