Housden has a unique ability to find absolutely wonderful poetry and to give full and intersting commentary about what he discovers in each poem. ( )

Housden has a unique ability to find absolutely wonderful poetry and to give full and intersting commentary about what he discovers in each poem. ( )

This is a Good Reads First Reads giveaway book.
I wasn't sure what to expect giving the title "Ten Poems to Say Goodbye". I initially imagined a book filled with poems by the author. I was not familiar with Roger Housden's work which includes other books of theme oriented poems. This book is a compilation of selected poems by several authors. Mr. Housden gives his interpretation of each literary piece providing background on the writer and offering his explanation of how the words can provide solace to those seeking it after a loss. As Roger Housden states so keenly, "We have to say goodbye to everything eventually, and life is punctuated with a thousand goodbyes, some greater, some smaller, all along the way. And yet all too often, we can't find the words to say goodbye.". He continues to explain that "good poetry is not merely a few thoughtful words to fill an awkward moment." He effectively describes how poetry can "reach down into the depths of our humanity" to capture the "essence of our existence". I found this book to be "user-friendly", in that, you don't need to be an English Professor to relate or understand the poems as they are followed by eloquent words expressing comfort to the person seeking deeper understanding to the meaning of loss.


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