Ten Poems to Change Your Life

by HOUSDEN, ROGER

• ISBN13: 9780609609019
• ISBN10: 0609609017
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-06-26
• Publisher: Harmony

Summary

This is a dangerous book. Great poetry calls into question not less than everything. It dares us to break free from the safe strategies of the cautious mind. It opens us to pain and joy and delight. It amazes, startles, pierces, and transforms us. It can lead to communion and grace. Through the voices of ten inspiring poets and his own reflections, the author of Sacred America shows how poetry illuminates the eternal feelings and desires that stir the human heart and soul. These poems explore such universal themes as the awakening of wonder, the longing for love, the wisdom of dreams, and the courage required to live an authentic life. In thoughtful commentary on each work, Housden offers glimpses into his personal spiritual journey and invites readers to contemplate the significance of the poet's message in their own lives. InTen Poems to Change Your Life, Roger Housden shows how these astonishing poems can inspire you to live what you always knew in your bones but never had the words for. "The Journey" by Mary Oliver "Last Night as I Was Sleeping" by Antonio Machado "Song of Myself" by Walt Whitman "Zero Circle" by Rumi "The Time Before Death" by Kabir "Ode to My Socks" by Pablo Neruda "Last Gods" by Galway Kinnell "For the Anniversary of My Death" by W. S. Merwin "Love After Love" by Derek Walcott "The Dark Night" by St. John of the Cross From the Hardcover edition.

Author Biography

Roger Housden gives public recitals of ecstatic poetry from the world's great literary and spiritual traditions. He lives in Northern California with his wife, Maria. He is the author of nine books and is a lifelong student of the beauty of the word, including poetry. His previous books include <b>Sacred America: The Emerging Spirit of the People</b> and <b>Travels Through Sacred India</b>.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(8)
The Journey	9	(12)
Mary Oliver
The Only Life You Can Save	11	(10)
Last Night as I Was Sleeping	21	(10)
Antonio Machado
Sweet Honey from Old Failures	23	(8)
Song of Myself (excerpt)	31	(12)
Walt Whitman
Every Man His Own Priest	34	(9)
Zero Circle	43	(10)
Rumi
Be Helpless	44	(9)
The Time Before Death	53	(10)
Kabir
Only This Moment	55	(8)
Ode to My Socks	63	(12)
Pablo Neruda
The Shadow of Beauty	67	(8)
Last Gods	75	(10)
Galway Kinnell
Shudders of Joy	77	(8)
For The Anniversary of My Death	85	(10)
W. S. Merwin
Bowing, Not Knowing to What	86	(9)
Love After Love	95	(8)
Derek Walcott
Feast on Your Life	96	(7)
The Dark Night (excerpt) by St. John of the Cross	103	(12)
Among the White Lilies	105	(10)
Epilogue	115	(4)
About the Poets	119	(5)
Notes	124	(3)
Recommended Reading	127	(2)
Other Poets to Change Your Life: A Brief List	129	(2)
Permissions	131