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Love Is Strong as Death
Paul Kelly’s songs are steeped in poetry. And now he has gathered from around the world the poems he loves – poems that have inspired and challenged him over the years, a number of which he has set to music. This wide-ranging and deeply moving anthology combines the ancient and the modern, the hallowed and the profane, the famous and the little known, to speak to two of literature’s great themes that have proven so powerful in his music: love and death – plus everything in between.
Here are poems by Yehuda Amichai, W.H. Auden, Tusiata Avia, Hera Lindsay Bird, William Blake, Bertolt Brecht, Constantine Cavafy, Alison Croggon, Mahmoud Darwish, Emily Dickinson, John Donne, Ali Cobby Eckermann, James Fenton, Thomas Hardy, Kevin Hart, Gwen Harwood, Seamus Heaney, Philip Hodgins, Homer, Gerard Manley Hopkins, Langston Hughes, John Keats, Ono No Komachi, Maxine Kumin, Philip Larkin, Li-Young Lee, Norman MacCaig, Paula Meehan, Czeslaw Milosz, Les Murray, Pablo Neruda, Sharon Olds, Ovid, Sylvia Plath, Dorothy Porter, Rumi, Anne Sexton, William Shakespeare, Izumi Shikibu, Warsan Shire, Kenneth Slessor, Wislawa Szymborska, Máire Mhac an tSaoi, Ko Un, Walt Whitman, Judith Wright, W.B. Yeats and many more.
Here are poems by Yehuda Amichai, W.H. Auden, Tusiata Avia, Hera Lindsay Bird, William Blake, Bertolt Brecht, Constantine Cavafy, Alison Croggon, Mahmoud Darwish, Emily Dickinson, John Donne, Ali Cobby Eckermann, James Fenton, Thomas Hardy, Kevin Hart, Gwen Harwood, Seamus Heaney, Philip Hodgins, Homer, Gerard Manley Hopkins, Langston Hughes, John Keats, Ono No Komachi, Maxine Kumin, Philip Larkin, Li-Young Lee, Norman MacCaig, Paula Meehan, Czeslaw Milosz, Les Murray, Pablo Neruda, Sharon Olds, Ovid, Sylvia Plath, Dorothy Porter, Rumi, Anne Sexton, William Shakespeare, Izumi Shikibu, Warsan Shire, Kenneth Slessor, Wislawa Szymborska, Máire Mhac an tSaoi, Ko Un, Walt Whitman, Judith Wright, W.B. Yeats and many more.
432 pages, Hardcover
First published November 19, 2019
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234 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 10, 2020
‘Many people I know say they feel poetry is difficult.’
I borrowed a copy. I quickly realised that borrowing this book was not an option for me: I needed my own copy. I bought a copy. I’ve skimmed through, I’ve read and reread. And I will continue to read and reread.
An eclectic collection of poetry: love and death, language and sex. There are poems I know – not by heart, because that is never a skill I’ve acquired. I recognise phrases and look for the whole. Or I remember who wrote a set of words, a poem that has become an anthem for a particular emotion.
See, I’m not even talking about this book and why I like it so much, simply about where poetry can take me. And, like his songs, the poems Paul Kelly has chosen make me think.
Some poems are ancient: the first five chapters from the Song of Solomon (the title ‘love is strong as death’ from the eighth chapter). And Catullus, Sophocles and Homer.
I saw some other old friends including Thomas Hardy, Emily Dickinson, William Blake, Kenneth Slessor, Banjo Paterson, Dylan Thomas and Judith Wright.
I skimmed Shakespeare, and met and fell in love with Maxine Beneba Clarke‘s ‘Brown’.
There are poems I remember from school, over half a century ago, and ones I’ve met since. New friends and old friends: poems to comfort, poems to explore.
This is a personal selection, organised in alphabetical order by title. Because, in Paul Kelly’s words:
‘Listing the poems alphabetically by title allows them to jostle one another in a democratic manner – the transcendent with the earthy, the loquacious with the sparse, the hymnic with the polemic.’
This is a book to own, to treasure, to buy as a gift for others. It’s both a comfort and an inspiration. And, just maybe, I might learn all of the words to some of these poems by heart. Perhaps.
‘And let poetry by your friend. It can take you to the end.’
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
I borrowed a copy. I quickly realised that borrowing this book was not an option for me: I needed my own copy. I bought a copy. I’ve skimmed through, I’ve read and reread. And I will continue to read and reread.
An eclectic collection of poetry: love and death, language and sex. There are poems I know – not by heart, because that is never a skill I’ve acquired. I recognise phrases and look for the whole. Or I remember who wrote a set of words, a poem that has become an anthem for a particular emotion.
See, I’m not even talking about this book and why I like it so much, simply about where poetry can take me. And, like his songs, the poems Paul Kelly has chosen make me think.
Some poems are ancient: the first five chapters from the Song of Solomon (the title ‘love is strong as death’ from the eighth chapter). And Catullus, Sophocles and Homer.
I saw some other old friends including Thomas Hardy, Emily Dickinson, William Blake, Kenneth Slessor, Banjo Paterson, Dylan Thomas and Judith Wright.
I skimmed Shakespeare, and met and fell in love with Maxine Beneba Clarke‘s ‘Brown’.
There are poems I remember from school, over half a century ago, and ones I’ve met since. New friends and old friends: poems to comfort, poems to explore.
This is a personal selection, organised in alphabetical order by title. Because, in Paul Kelly’s words:
‘Listing the poems alphabetically by title allows them to jostle one another in a democratic manner – the transcendent with the earthy, the loquacious with the sparse, the hymnic with the polemic.’
This is a book to own, to treasure, to buy as a gift for others. It’s both a comfort and an inspiration. And, just maybe, I might learn all of the words to some of these poems by heart. Perhaps.
‘And let poetry by your friend. It can take you to the end.’
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
June 23, 2025
if you have the energy for a good cry and you appreciate art, this is the most wonderful collection of poems I've come across
December 23, 2023
Paul Kelly says, "Finding a poem you love requires patience, luck and a willingness to cover a wide range." He's not wrong and this book was a great way to start that journey. Many poems I didn't like....but the ones that I did....there's a beauty to a poem bringing your heart to your throat and tears to your eyes.
June 13, 2020
I haven’t finished this book, but I dip into it each day, quite randomly, (and I tick the pages I’ve read cos i want to read every poem at some point). The connection to love and death, so exquisitely captured by this amazing array of poets, uplifts me. I don’t love every poem... or every poet.... but I love so many... reading a poem or two a day (it’s a massive anthology) is such a wonderful connection to spirit.
March 29, 2021
A really interesting anthology. I'm not really a poetry reader, but I really enjoyed the diversity of this collection. Poetry is personal, but I felt an A.A.Milne and an Edward Lear of some sort would have made it 5 star for me. I thought it interesting "I love a sunburnt country" was not included. But, on the whole, a great read.
November 7, 2024
A beautiful collection of poems, selected by Australian musician Paul Kelly.
November 25, 2019
Just what a poetry anthology should be! Old favourites, new discoveries- with the bonus of imagining Paul Kelly stretched out on his couch after a surf reading them aloud. Loving getting the kids to take turns finding something that jumps out at them (preferably for reasons other than rude words)! Absolutely loving it!
July 5, 2020
This is such an eclectic mix of poetry. Found songwriter, Paul Kelly's choices very revealing. He's ordered each piece alphabetically by title much the same as he's done in his A-Z concerts with his songs.
There's pieces from that go back in time to Sappho & Homer to modern day poets & songwriters like Archy Roach. I was a little surprised that he didn't include any Indigenous songlines, but there are more indigenous poets like Oodgeroo Noonuccal (Kath Walker), Kevin Gilbert and others.
He's drawn from many Australian poets past and modern, not always their most prominent works. AB Patterson's Man from Snowy River isn't included but The Man from Ironbark and Clancy of the Overflow are. There's quite a few interesting pieces of Shakespeare's work. Many English and American poets and a few Asian pieces. A few interesting choices of Walt Whitman & Emily Dickinson. Personal favourites of mine that I would have liked to have seen was more Judith Wright and Robbie Burns. But it's Paul's collection not mine.
I reluctantly returned this one to the library but very tempted to buy my own copy and I'll also be looking out for it on audiobook.
There's pieces from that go back in time to Sappho & Homer to modern day poets & songwriters like Archy Roach. I was a little surprised that he didn't include any Indigenous songlines, but there are more indigenous poets like Oodgeroo Noonuccal (Kath Walker), Kevin Gilbert and others.
He's drawn from many Australian poets past and modern, not always their most prominent works. AB Patterson's Man from Snowy River isn't included but The Man from Ironbark and Clancy of the Overflow are. There's quite a few interesting pieces of Shakespeare's work. Many English and American poets and a few Asian pieces. A few interesting choices of Walt Whitman & Emily Dickinson. Personal favourites of mine that I would have liked to have seen was more Judith Wright and Robbie Burns. But it's Paul's collection not mine.
I reluctantly returned this one to the library but very tempted to buy my own copy and I'll also be looking out for it on audiobook.
February 22, 2020
Such a broad selection of poets and poems. It’s a glorious way to read poetry because you experience such an eclectic meld of minds in mid wonder. I often think a poem is that lost point between pain and acceptance and the vast majority fulfil that conception.
This is not a trophy book: the sort you read and place in the bookshelf for others to admire when they visit and think more of you. It is unlikely to be there for long enough stretches. It already has more dog ears than the local pound and an orange highlighter has already danced across lines throughout. This will come back to my hands often because pain is a reoccurring nuisance and the poems here might not remove it but salve can be enough.
If you own no poetry (shame on those who love you) you should at least have this compendium somewhere on a shelf where you can reach for it. Your pain will thank you.
This is not a trophy book: the sort you read and place in the bookshelf for others to admire when they visit and think more of you. It is unlikely to be there for long enough stretches. It already has more dog ears than the local pound and an orange highlighter has already danced across lines throughout. This will come back to my hands often because pain is a reoccurring nuisance and the poems here might not remove it but salve can be enough.
If you own no poetry (shame on those who love you) you should at least have this compendium somewhere on a shelf where you can reach for it. Your pain will thank you.
July 31, 2020
I don’t know who Paul Kelly is, and at this point I don’t care. From Renaissance to the Romantics to contemporary poets like Ocean Vuong (a personal favourite), this collection is an interesting accumulation of all kinds of poems and perspectives. Perfect to flip through and read a few here a there - something I enjoyed was bookmarking some pages which stood out to me to return to in future. I think Love is Strong as Death would be a good choice for someone who is interested in beginning to read poetry, but doesn’t know where to begin. There is a good range of diversity. I particularly liked William Blake, Ocean Vuong, Dylan Thomas, Wislawa Szymborska and Alison Croggon.
December 11, 2021
It took me a year to work through, but I loved this anthology - was introduced to so many new poets, thunderstruck by a number of them and was lovely to get reacquainted with some of the poetry I studied for my HSC (40 years ago).
March 29, 2020
I'm a total noobs in Poetry, so I definitely can't provide an intelligent review on this collection of poetry. However, I always appreciate good Poems that can make me (the beginner) feel. And I've always loved poems that flow and roll off your tongue.
I recognised some poems in this collection (Shakespeare, Kahlil Gibran, Rudyard Kipling), and I learnt some new ones. My new favourite was Katie Cruel:
Urgh, how good was that!
I recognised some poems in this collection (Shakespeare, Kahlil Gibran, Rudyard Kipling), and I learnt some new ones. My new favourite was Katie Cruel:
If I was where I would be
Then I'd be where I am not
Here I am where I must be
Where I would be, I can not
Urgh, how good was that!
February 3, 2020
An anthology of poetry.
Paul Kelly's introduction is insightful and sets the scene on the nature of poetry.
Paul's rationale for his poetry selections is quite quirky, some would say a cop out - alphabetical.
Similar in format to one of my favourite poetry collections 'A poem for every night of the year'.
Can be used as a devotional and as Paul also says, read it out loud, as then the poems become more alive.
Try and suggest someone buy this for you as gift - hint, hint!
Paul Kelly's introduction is insightful and sets the scene on the nature of poetry.
Paul's rationale for his poetry selections is quite quirky, some would say a cop out - alphabetical.
Similar in format to one of my favourite poetry collections 'A poem for every night of the year'.
Can be used as a devotional and as Paul also says, read it out loud, as then the poems become more alive.
Try and suggest someone buy this for you as gift - hint, hint!
December 26, 2019
Nice idea but Kelly is not a good reader of poetry. His voice is flat and it sounds like he's reading instructions for the new microwave. Poetry reading needs a theatrically trained voice full of inflection and nuance. It's not easy. I've heard 8 and that's it.
February 27, 2024
Kelly is certainly well read, it’s no wonder his song writing is so rich, so thoughtful and heartfelt. This is a great introduction to poetry, a taster that may lead you on own poetry journey. A good one to leave by the bed to dip back into every now and then.
July 8, 2021
A wonderful anthology. I wish I had a personal copy rather than a library copy!
September 5, 2021
a very eclectic collection
March 15, 2022
Pow! So well done, and the audio book (read by Paul Kelly) is even better.
But also a bit serious for me, and lots of adult content.
But also a bit serious for me, and lots of adult content.
September 29, 2023
A great collection of Poems
June 14, 2024
Diverse collection of poetry
October 18, 2025
Breathtakingly beautiful collection
January 29, 2023
I’ve been meaning to read more poetry and a big selection by Australia’s greatest songwriter seems like a good primer. Feels wide-ranging (but what would I know). Left me with a greater appreciation for the breadth and especially potential of the form. And a really long list of poets to read more of.
December 8, 2019
This is a beautiful and diverse collection of poetry collated by australian music legend Paul Kelly.
You're not going to like every single piece chosen but you're sure as hell going to find something you do like. You really have a little bit of everything ranging from modern to ancient, well known, to lesser known and everything in between.
Truely a wide ranging collection, excellent for those wanting to explore more poetry or just those who appreciate it.
You're not going to like every single piece chosen but you're sure as hell going to find something you do like. You really have a little bit of everything ranging from modern to ancient, well known, to lesser known and everything in between.
Truely a wide ranging collection, excellent for those wanting to explore more poetry or just those who appreciate it.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews