Swarm - Paperback

by Jorie Graham (Author)

A New York Times Notable Book

"These poems are among the most intense, personal, and ardent [Graham] has written." --Boston Book Review

The eighth collection of poetry from Pulitzer Prize winner Jorie Graham

T.S. Eliot, Elizabeth Bishop, John Ashbery--and Jorie Graham. The New Yorker places Ms. Graham in this distinguished line of poets, heralding her as a profound voice in American poetry. In Swarm, she further enhances her reputation with a book-length sequence of verse that is a stunning work of grandeur.

The New Republic writes, "for 'swarm, ' in other words...read 'be born again.' Graham is writing about a spiritual turning point, a new beginning.... Beauty--that is, the pure sense-perception which has long been a concern for Graham--is no longer the most important criterion. Now goodness is...[and] the idea of submission, of obedience, without understanding: one must 'yield' before 'hearing the reason' for yielding."

Back Jacket

T S. Eliot, Elizabeth Bishop, John Ashbery -- and Jorie Graham. The New Yorker places Ms. Graham in this distinguished line of poets, heralding the Pulitzer Prize winner as a profound voice in American poetry. Now, in her eighth collection, she further enhances her reputation with a book-length sequence of verse that is a stunning work of grandeur.

The New Republic writes, "for 'swarm, ' in other words...read 'be born again.' Graham is writing about a spiritual turning point, a new beginning.... Beauty -- that is, the pure sense-perception which has long been a concern for Graham -- is no longer the most important criterion. Now goodness is...[and] the idea of submission, of obedience, without understanding: one must 'yield' before 'hearing the reason' for yielding."