Review: The Collected Poems of Amy Clampitt

The Collected Poems of Amy Clampitt by Amy Clampitt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars 

As in any "Collected Poetry," the totality of the poems in this collection is somewhat uneven. That said, Amy Clampitt's work still ranks with the very best in English poetry over the last century. Her language is lush, her vocabulary rich (though sometimes verging the arcane and obscure), her poet's eye that of a naturalist, a scientist, as well as an artist. She has been compared with Wallace Stevens, and there are echoes and influences here. The intellect joined with the body in a dance. The senses all given their due. I have savored these poems for over two years and will savor going back and rereading. 

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