An Introduction to Fiction

Widely anthologized, Kennedy's poetry may not be as influential among contemporary poets as others' because of his preference for, in his words, "old-fangled structures most poets have junked these days." As Kennedy's comments on his verse suggest, his poetry is witty, concise, and unpretentious. His subject matter is drawn from the everyday show more including his Catholic background and middle-class suburban life. Yet his concerns can be profound including death, violence, suicide, and Genesis. (Bowker Author Biography) show less

Dana Gioia is a poet and critic. He has published five collections of poetry, most recently 99 Poems: New Selected, which won the Poets' Prize. His child collection, Interrogations at Noon, was awarded the American Book Award. Gioia's first critical collection, Can Poetry Matter?, was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award. Gioia show more has served as the Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts and California State Poet Laureate. show less