A Finnish poet and translator whose style was deeply influenced by the American beat poets. He published more than forty collections of poetry, establishing a significant literary voice. Hollo also distinguished himself as a translator, rendering works from Finnish, German, Swedish, and French into English. His career as an educator included teaching creative writing at eighteen different institutions, where he shared his profound understanding of poetic craft.
Featuring over fifty years of work, this collection showcases Anselm Hollo's distinctive humor, wisdom, and charm. It offers a warm and insightful exploration of contemporary poetry, appealing to both students and fans alike. With contributions from an author of more than forty books, the collection emphasizes that poetry is not merely an art form but a vital way of life.
Exploring profound themes such as death, love, and the search for meaning, Hollo's modern sonnets delve into the complexities of human consciousness and the realities of existence. The collection captures the essence of romanticism while confronting loss and the intricate nature of truth, inviting readers into a reflective journey through life's most significant questions.
The collection showcases a rich tapestry of poetry spanning forty years, blending both published and recent works. It captures the complexities of a thinking and feeling individual's experiences in 20th-century Europe and America, exploring themes of love, sorrow, and a glimmer of hope for the future. Through these poems, the author reflects on a lifetime of artistic endeavor, offering readers a profound insight into the human condition.
"Hollo's poetry continually confounds as well as exceeds the reader's expectations."-- Small Press
Selected Poems
The 1950s saw a major breakthrough in Finnish poetry when such modernists as Paavo Haavikko turned away from national idealism. The poetry of Haavikko, who has emerged as the most original of these poets, is remarkable for its lyricism and exceptionally direct imagery.Tomas Tranströmer, a contemporary Swedish poet, draws on a long tradition of Swedish nature poetry, and combines a wide viewpoint with a sharp focus on particular details. This selection ranges from his early, somewhat mystical poems to his later, more explicit work.