Drawing its title from William Blake’s hymn of praise to sexual love (Visions of the Daughters of Albion), this little book inscribes the word “love” in 22 of its 33 poems. They celebrate delights of being in a body. But not just sex—love of God, of friends, parents, children, pets, poems, even food, all are savored. I am struck, as well, by this poet’s range of thought, feeling, and allusion: Li Po to Garcia Lorca, May Swenson, Mary Oliver and Richard Dawkins, to Blake, the Bible, and Shakespeare (in the delightful ballad “If Will Hath a Will, Anne Hathaway”). Most of all, I am haunted by the opening piece, words of love aborted mid-sentence by death.
Helms has a way of making complex ideas accessible. His poems enhance and deepen our intellectual as well as sensual pleasures. Read them slowly (“mouth these verses, mumble them, suck their juice,” he suggests); they will enrich you.
—Joanna Dales

Fifty years ago, John Stallworthy compiled The Penguin Book of Love Poetry, offering categories such as “Persuasions” and “Celebrations,” but also “Aberrations” and “Desolations,” reminding us that love, like the rest of life, is difficult and confusing. Here, Helms offers his own arguments, lusty, comical, often intrinsically problematic, expressions of the conflicted gaggle of beings who are human, mammals, both confined and freed by the need to stay alive and (pro)creative—all with a sense of joyous wonder.
—Richard Fenton Sederstrom, author of Sorgmantel and Icarus Rising

To the question, “What’s the point of love poems,” McCraw Helms responds, “Why sing, when you can simply talk?” Poems, he declares, “conceive what would have stayed unborn, being our language making love.” This poet casts an expansive net, depicting many aspects of love: sorrow-filled longing, inter-species bonding, sexual pleasure (including masturbation), conjugal love, Christ’s love, even abortion as a pained gift of love to the too-deeply damaged unborn.
Note that the cover image here, Satan Watching the Endearments of Adam and Eve, by William Blake, richly enacts some of the complexities of love: Lust, envy, and regret encountering the overwhelming beauty and innocence of naked, loving delight.
—Mary Messick

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Store Description

SuperBookDeals.com is your top source for finding new books at the absolute lowest prices, guaranteed ! We offer big discounts - everyday - on millions of titles in virtually any category, from Architecture to Zoology -- and everything in between. Discover great deals and super-savings, on professional books, text book titles, the newest computer guides, or your favorite fiction authors. You'll find it all - at HUGE SAVINGS - at SuperBookDeals. Browse through our complete online product catalog today. Serving customers around the world for years, we help thousands find just the books they're looking for -- at incredibly low, bargain prices.

Visit Seller's Storefront

Seller's business information

Expert Trading Limited
9220 Rumsey Road, Suite 101, Columbia, MD, 21045, U.S.A.

Sale & Shipping Terms

Terms of Sale

Company Name: GreatBookPrices
Legal Entity: Expert Trading, LLC
Address: 9220 Rumsey Road, Ste 101, Columbia MD 21046
Email address: CustomerService@SuperBookDeals.com
Phone number: 410-964-0026
consumer complaints can be addressed to address above
Registration #: 52-1713923
Authorized representative: Danielle Hainsey

Shipping Terms

Internal processing of your order will take about 1-2 business days. Please allow an additional 4-14 business days for Media Mail delivery. We have multiple ship-from locations - MD,IL,NJ,UK,IN,NV,TN & GA

Shipping rates within U.S.A.

Shipping rates within U.S.A.
Order quantity	8 to 14 business days	5 to 14 business days
First item	US$ 2.64	US$ 2.64

Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.