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Telephone Poles and Other Poems
WHEN, five years and five books of fiction ago, THE CARPENTERED HEN, John Updike’s first collection of verse, was published, Phyllis McGinley “I have been happily reading Mr. Updike in The New Yorker for some time and am happy, now, to own him collected. When he first appeared in that magazine, I was so elated to see a new name in light verse that I felt like crying with the Ancient Mariner ‘A Sail, A Sail!’ His is what poetry of this sort exactly out to be—playful but elegant, sharp-eyed, witty.” In the Saturday Review , David McCord “Furthermore, he is a graceful border-crosser (light verse to poem) as Auden has been; as Betjeman and McGinley frequently are.”
This second collection is equally divided between poems that, in their verbal jugglery and humorous bias, seem to qualify as “light” and poems that, one way or other, cross the problematic border into the general realm of poetry. The distinction cannot be clear-cut. The poet is consistently concerned with Man’s cosmic embarrassment, and the same vision illuminates the creatures of “The High Hearts” and “Seagulls.” Science and religion, so frequently and variously invoked, frame a single paradox, the paradox of the mundane; and each poem, whether inspired by an antic headline or a suburban landscape, rejoices in the elusive surface of created things.
This second collection is equally divided between poems that, in their verbal jugglery and humorous bias, seem to qualify as “light” and poems that, one way or other, cross the problematic border into the general realm of poetry. The distinction cannot be clear-cut. The poet is consistently concerned with Man’s cosmic embarrassment, and the same vision illuminates the creatures of “The High Hearts” and “Seagulls.” Science and religion, so frequently and variously invoked, frame a single paradox, the paradox of the mundane; and each poem, whether inspired by an antic headline or a suburban landscape, rejoices in the elusive surface of created things.
- GenresPoetry
83 pages, Hardcover
First published August 12, 1963
2 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
John Updike
863 books2,436 followersJohn Hoyer Updike was an American writer. Updike's most famous work is his Rabbit series (Rabbit, Run; Rabbit Redux; Rabbit Is Rich; Rabbit At Rest; and Rabbit Remembered). Rabbit is Rich and Rabbit at Rest both won Pulitzer Prizes for Updike. Describing his subject as "the American small town, Protestant middle class," Updike is well known for his careful craftsmanship and prolific writing, having published 22 novels and more than a dozen short story collections as well as poetry, literary criticism and children's books. Hundreds of his stories, reviews, and poems have appeared in The New Yorker since the 1950s. His works often explore sex, faith, and death, and their inter-relationships.
He died of lung cancer at age 76.
He died of lung cancer at age 76.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 5, 2008
I picked this up at the library and leafed through it. I liked what I saw. I thought it had quite a bit of potential. Besides, John Updike was a name I recognized.
Leafing through the titles and first lines I thought the poems looked to be childlike and delightful. I was quite disappointed then that they turned out to be childlike alone. When I picked up the book I flipped to the poem, "I Missed His Book, But I Read His Name." (Childlike and delightful.) Had I read "Marriage Counsel" or "Recital" instead, I never would have read this book.
It was as if he was striving to be an intellectual Theodor Geisel without realizing that Seuss's intellect comes from the simplicity of what he writes.
I almost gave up on the book, but I decided to read part II. It was worth it. Part II gave me what I was looking for. - - - There were definitely some redemptive poems in the first section ("Meditations on a News Item" was outstanding) that were worth reading, but for me part I wasn't worth it as a whole.
Leafing through the titles and first lines I thought the poems looked to be childlike and delightful. I was quite disappointed then that they turned out to be childlike alone. When I picked up the book I flipped to the poem, "I Missed His Book, But I Read His Name." (Childlike and delightful.) Had I read "Marriage Counsel" or "Recital" instead, I never would have read this book.
It was as if he was striving to be an intellectual Theodor Geisel without realizing that Seuss's intellect comes from the simplicity of what he writes.
I almost gave up on the book, but I decided to read part II. It was worth it. Part II gave me what I was looking for. - - - There were definitely some redemptive poems in the first section ("Meditations on a News Item" was outstanding) that were worth reading, but for me part I wasn't worth it as a whole.
June 1, 2014
This short collection of mostly whimsical poems is enjoyable and quick reading. “Reel” is introduced by an incredible definition of the word whorl in the dictionary, which refers to whirls and wharves. This is the epitome of whimsy.
Whirl, whorl or wharve! The world
Whirls within solar rings
Which once were hotly hurled
Away by whirling things!
Wind whirls; hair curls; the worm
Can turn, and wheels can wheel,
And even stars affirm:
Whatever whirls is real.
We whirl, or seem to whirl,
Or seem to seem to; whorls
Within more whorls unfurl
In manners, habits, morals.
And when we go and carve
An onion or a tree,
We find, within, a wharve
And, in thw wharve, a whee! (4)
Toward the end of the collection, the poems get more serious, contemplating the role of man and God. Two examples are below:
“Trees Eat Sunshine”
It’s the fact:
their broad leaves lap it up like milk
and turn it into twigs.
Fish eat fish.
Lamps eat light
and when their feast has starved their filament
go out.
So do we,
and all sweet creatures—
cats eating horses, horses grass, grass earth, earth water—
Eexcept for the distant Man
who inhales the savor of souls—
let us all strive to resemble this giant! (70)
“Fever”
I have brought back a good message from the land of 102°:
God exists.
I had seriously doubted it before;
but the bedposts spoke of it with utmost confidence,
the threads in my blanket took it for granted,
the tree outside the window dismissed all complaints,
and I have not slept so justly for years.
It is hard, now, to convey
how emblematically appearances sat
upon the membranes of my consciousness;
but it is a truth long known,
that some secrets are hidden from health. (71)
“Seven Stanzas at Easter” follows these, and is entirely serious in its disposition. Overall, this is worth the read. Updike is a master of language, and he cannot resist playing with the words, their sounds and definitions.
Whirl, whorl or wharve! The world
Whirls within solar rings
Which once were hotly hurled
Away by whirling things!
Wind whirls; hair curls; the worm
Can turn, and wheels can wheel,
And even stars affirm:
Whatever whirls is real.
We whirl, or seem to whirl,
Or seem to seem to; whorls
Within more whorls unfurl
In manners, habits, morals.
And when we go and carve
An onion or a tree,
We find, within, a wharve
And, in thw wharve, a whee! (4)
Toward the end of the collection, the poems get more serious, contemplating the role of man and God. Two examples are below:
“Trees Eat Sunshine”
It’s the fact:
their broad leaves lap it up like milk
and turn it into twigs.
Fish eat fish.
Lamps eat light
and when their feast has starved their filament
go out.
So do we,
and all sweet creatures—
cats eating horses, horses grass, grass earth, earth water—
Eexcept for the distant Man
who inhales the savor of souls—
let us all strive to resemble this giant! (70)
“Fever”
I have brought back a good message from the land of 102°:
God exists.
I had seriously doubted it before;
but the bedposts spoke of it with utmost confidence,
the threads in my blanket took it for granted,
the tree outside the window dismissed all complaints,
and I have not slept so justly for years.
It is hard, now, to convey
how emblematically appearances sat
upon the membranes of my consciousness;
but it is a truth long known,
that some secrets are hidden from health. (71)
“Seven Stanzas at Easter” follows these, and is entirely serious in its disposition. Overall, this is worth the read. Updike is a master of language, and he cannot resist playing with the words, their sounds and definitions.
March 26, 2017
"Hoeing," "February 22," "Shillington," "Les Saints Nouveaux," "Fever," "Seven Stanzas at Easter."
August 9, 2025
Poetry has never really been my thing, but I'm giving it a shot. I just took a class on English literature, where we analyzed several poems, and I surprisingly enjoyed the experience. I figured I'd give Updike's poetry a chance, considering that I've read a few of his novels. I have always been impressed with his style and vocabulary.
I enjoyed this collection a lot. Updike showcases his technical ability and has a real skill in finding beauty in mundane topics. The longer poems in this collection are excellent. Updike's light poetry is good as well, though a little too silly at times.
My favorite Poems - "Caligula's Dream," "Party Knee," "Thoughts While Driving Home," "Meditation on a News Item," "Telephone Poles," "Seagulls," "Old-Fashioned Lightning Rod," and "Mobile of Birds."
I enjoyed this collection a lot. Updike showcases his technical ability and has a real skill in finding beauty in mundane topics. The longer poems in this collection are excellent. Updike's light poetry is good as well, though a little too silly at times.
My favorite Poems - "Caligula's Dream," "Party Knee," "Thoughts While Driving Home," "Meditation on a News Item," "Telephone Poles," "Seagulls," "Old-Fashioned Lightning Rod," and "Mobile of Birds."
April 27, 2009
Light verse, mostly whimsical, from an author
perfectly comfortable with his own unforced
whimsy. The most interesting poem to me was one
written for a religious arts occasion at some
church in Massachusetts, perhaps near where Updike
lived. Interesting in relation to some of his own
disclaimers, elsewhere, about his religious beliefs,
if any. Or their place in his writings.
perfectly comfortable with his own unforced
whimsy. The most interesting poem to me was one
written for a religious arts occasion at some
church in Massachusetts, perhaps near where Updike
lived. Interesting in relation to some of his own
disclaimers, elsewhere, about his religious beliefs,
if any. Or their place in his writings.
May 2, 2015
Wonderful. John Updike always though of himself as a poet - but his novels are so powerful that they have always overpowered his other work. This was his SECOND book of poetry, published only 9 years after he graduated from college. As usual, just to read his words so beautifully gathered, was a treat. But the poetry was also funny, joyous, coy and touching. He is gone too soon!!!
August 12, 2009
This book of poems met me where I live. In Updike's clever observerations of the mundane curiosities of his apparently-everyday life, I was stirred to appreciate the poetry that was occurring all around me. Thank you, Mr. Updike and Mr. Anantanarayanan-- Mr. *M.* Anantanarayanan.
Read
August 3, 2011A bit more mature than The Carpentered Hen, but still, lots of light verse.
Want to read
April 7, 2014This book has the poem "Seven Stanzas at Easter"
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews