Middle Distance
- 96 pages
- 4 hours of reading
A probing and commanding final volume from a master poet facing his own mortality.
Stanley Plumly Book order
Stanley Plumly's poetry frequently explores themes of family, particularly the complex relationship with his father, whose life and death left an indelible mark on his work. His mother appears as a silent witness to her husband's self-destruction. Plumly's poetic style is characterized by deep introspection and an examination of human relationships and memory. His work is recognized for its sensitivity and literary craftsmanship.
- 2022
- 2020
Middle Distance: Poems
- 96 pages
- 4 hours of reading
Facing a cancer diagnosis, Stanley Plumly reflects on his childhood and the relationships that shaped his life in his final collection. This work features innovative hybrid forms and insightful prose, marking a bold exploration of mortality. The poems convey a profound emotional depth, showcasing Plumly's fearless approach to the themes of life and death, ultimately creating a poignant culmination of his illustrious career.
- 2018
Elegy Landscapes
- 251 pages
- 9 hours of reading
A sweeping look at the lives and work of two important English Romantic painters.
- 2016
Against Sunset: Poems
- 112 pages
- 4 hours of reading
Exploring themes of loss and the passage of time, this collection features Stanley Plumly's deeply personal reflections on the deaths of friends and fellow poets, as well as the beauty of twilight and autumn. Blending homage to Romantic traditions with contemplations on memory, the poems evoke a poignant sense of transience and the inevitability of disappearances, capturing moments of both sorrow and celebration.
- 2014
The Immortal Evening
- 368 pages
- 13 hours of reading
A window onto the lives of the Romantic poets through the re-creation of one legendary night in 1817.
- 2009
Old Heart
- 98 pages
- 4 hours of reading
Exploring themes of mortality, Stanley Plumly's collection reflects on the natural world, the loss of friends, and personal experiences. The poems serve as a deep meditation on life and death, blending archetypal and allegorical elements. Recognized by the American Academy of Arts and Letters for his contributions to lyric poetry, Plumly combines ethical rigor with literary modesty, making this collection a significant addition to his body of work and a testament to his poetic evolution.
- 2008
The book explores the profound impact of John Keats, one of England's greatest Romantic poets, whose life was tragically cut short by tuberculosis at just 25. The author reflects on how Keats's awareness of his mortality influenced his poetry, suggesting that this awareness both fueled his creative genius and contributed to his sense of tragedy. Over two decades of contemplation, the author delves into the enduring legacy of Keats's work and the themes of life, death, and artistic expression that resonate throughout his poetry.