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Some Bodies in the Grief Bed Rick Benjamin

Some Bodies in the Grief Bed By Rick Benjamin

Some Bodies in the Grief Bed by Rick Benjamin


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Some Bodies in the Grief Bed Summary

Some Bodies in the Grief Bed by Rick Benjamin

Some Bodies in the Grief Bed is Rick Benjamin's latest attempt to find the intersection of the human and the non-human in the context of this earth's ecology. A poem about migrations butterflies and others make might be followed by another appearing in the life of a family; and this poet is always trying to face down the distinction between them. At the same time, he is deeply interested in every detail of either: giraffe's eating an Acacia's topmost leaves and pods; the way the sound of percussive roofs in rain bring up memories a boy might have thought he'd buried. These are offered as equal parts of one book, planets orbiting around the same sun. As the title suggests, Some Bodies in the Grief Bed evolves around loss, but also those moments of ecstasy and joy that are attached to them. As Martin suggests, such grief is also and always just another opportunity to praise everything and everyone we've been lucky enough to hold and have in this world without keeping. This book reminds us both to hold each moment and to be more mindful of what it's made (out) of- the organic, impermanent nature of our passing love (Langston Hughes) on this planet.

Some Bodies in the Grief Bed Reviews

'Suppose the cure for death / was simply dying / toward a new life,' writes Rick Benjamin in this collection strung with equal parts elegy and imagination. In Some Bodies in the Grief Bed, Benjamin trains his focus forward and backward, giving names to all that grief makes kin: the violence of borders, memories of childhood, bodies that hurt and haunt and, finally, come apart. But this is a gentle looking. If it's possible to write with compassion for the words themselves, it's here, where Benjamin's signature, clear voice invites us to 'briefly celebrate together' the ties that bind, even-maybe especially-in the wake of their breaking. -Franny Choi
I am very moved by Rick Benjamin's poems- I love his subjects, his style, his whole sensibility. -Naomi Shihab Nye
Good poets are able to paint a picture or set a scene by using their abilities to observe and record. It is often the poet who tells the story of transcendent beauty, such as that of a butterfly. A better poet is able to also see the pain inside the beauty. However, it is a truly remarkable poet who is able to connect the beauty and pain of a migratory butterfly to the larger human world and give us new insight into both. Throughout Rick Benjamin's Some Bodies in the Grief Bed, in poem and sparkling poem, he reminds us how human we can still be, and in doing so, he also reminds us how gifted a poet he is. -Le Hinton

About Rick Benjamin

Rick Benjamin lives on Chumash land in Goleta, California, and tries to remind himself of that fact that each day as he walks ancient trails near his house. Currently teaching a range of courses at the University of California Santa Barbara, ranging from poetry and community, the wild literature of ecology, and the literatures of both social and juvenile justice, he also finds himself working among elders, with middle-school students at a local Boys and Girls Club, in art museums and in youth detention facilities. Among his works are the books of poetry, Passing Love, Floating World, and Endless Distances. Rick lives with his partner of many years, Margaret Klawunn, and mostly in reach of their twin sons, and daughter. He served as the Poet Laureate of Rhode Island from 2012 - 2016.

Additional information

CIN1953340040G
9781953340047
1953340040
Some Bodies in the Grief Bed by Rick Benjamin
Used - Good
Paperback
Homebound Publications
2021-04-29
120
N/A
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
This is a used book - there is no escaping the fact it has been read by someone else and it will show signs of wear and previous use. Overall we expect it to be in good condition, but if you are not entirely satisfied please get in touch with us

Customer Reviews - Some Bodies in the Grief Bed