William Carlos Williams: Selected Poems

Vivid. I agree with Octavio Paz. This is the simplest way to describe what I love about William Carlos Williams’ poetry. Williams, medical doctor cum poet, infused his verse with imagery and tone that has the ability to tap directly into a reader’s imagination while gripping the heart with a zen-like feeling of enlightenment, as the meter doles out the words in perfect time. For me his poetry provides a glimpse into the divine, with his use of plain language and ability to juxtapose elements in a way that makes immediate, eye opening sense. His work is some of the most spiritual poetry I’ve ever read. I think there is something in Williams that allowed him to speak directly to the soul. His dual career also makes for a great story. I wonder what it was like to see this poet in his medical office. I imagine him to be a kindly, gentle man who imbued everything he did with his unique ability to see through the smoke and mirrors of modern life with exactitude and then communicate what he saw with a gentle incisiveness that wiped the fog away for others. This collection has work from Williams’ many periods of stylistic metamorphosis and demonstrates well the breadth of his versatility with language. Pick this up and prepare to be blown away by satori on the page.