NONFICTION

Divine Nothingness

by Gerald Stern
Norton. Nov. 2014. 80p. ISBN 9780393243505. $24.95. POETRY
COPY ISBN
Soon to turn 90, Stern (In Beauty Bright) continues to rummage through his storehouse of memories, revisiting old haunts ("the meadow/ where the sidewalk suddenly became a river/ as one street rounded a bend and then another") and reliving small yet vivid experiences with a lyrical, improvisational verve that subverts suggestions of simple nostalgia. Notational and sinuous, the poems seem to be attempts to weave the random threads of life into a pattern that the writing process itself will reveal. Imagistic clarity alternates with emotional ambiguity as the poet records not just his memories but his quest to understand the forces behind their persistence ("it's all about the things/ I'm trying to find the word for").
VERDICT Stern knows that, energetic as they are, these poems are especially cryptic and personal ("There is only one other person who understands this,/ the rest will have to go by language alone"), and perhaps only his most dedicated fans and friends will absorb them fully. But they are well wrought, sharply edged, and proof that the desire to comprehend one's way in the world never diminishes.
Reviewed by Fred Muratori, Cornell Univ. Lib., Ithaca, NY , Oct 15, 2014
Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

MEDIA

The Last Shot: City Streets, Basketball Dreams
by Frey, Darcy
NONFICTION

The Shape of Power: Stories of Race and American Sculpture
by Lemmey, Karen & others
NONFICTION

A Guide to Medical Cannabis: Your Roadmap to Understanding and Using Cannabis and CBD for Health
by Hasse, Javier & Nicolás Jose Rodriguez
NONFICTION

One Thousand Vines: A New Way To Understand Wine
by Lepeltier, Pascaline
NONFICTION

The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2024
by McKibben, Bill & Jaime Green
NONFICTION

Hungry Beautiful Animals: The Joyful Case for Going Vegan
by Halteman, Matthew C.
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?