Ted Kooser Book order

"An expanded anniversary edition of a collection of poems by Ted Kooser and Jim Harrison"-- Provided by publisher

Ted Kooser lives and writes on 62 acres of wooded hills and pasture in rural Nebraska with his wife, Kathleen Rutledge, a retired editor of the Lincoln Journal Star. None of their property is farmed and is instead left to an abundance of wildlife. For many years Kooser worked at a desk in the life insurance business, retired at 60, and for fifteen years taught poetry writing in the graduate program of the University of Nebraska.He is the author of fifteen books of poetry, five volumes of nonfiction, five children's picture books, and seventeen chapbooks and special editions. He served two terms as U.S. Poet Laureate and his 2004 collection of poems, Delights & Shadows, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize. Prior to the publication of A Man with a Rake, his most recent collection of poems is Red Stilts, from Copper Canyon Press. More about his life, his work, and his many honors can be found at www.tedkooser.net.

The book features the work of a former U.S. Poet Laureate, showcasing a collection of poignant and thought-provoking poetry. It explores themes of identity, nature, and the human experience, offering readers a glimpse into the emotional landscapes of the poet’s mind. With rich imagery and lyrical language, the poems invite reflection and connection, making it a significant contribution to contemporary literature. This collection not only highlights the poet's mastery of verse but also engages with universal truths that resonate across cultures.

The poems in Cotton Candy were written during Ted Kooser's daily writing routine of getting up long before dawn and snatching out of the air whatever comes to him in words, rhythms, and cadences.

The story centers on the relationship between an elderly man and his young friend, highlighting their unique bond and the wisdom shared across generations. Through the lens of former poet laureate Ted Kooser and newcomer Daniel Duncan, readers are encouraged to see the world anew, appreciating the beauty in everyday moments. This charming narrative captures the essence of friendship and the joy of seeing life from different perspectives.

This selection from five decades of Kooser's work illustrates his intense and intimate vision of everyday American life.

When Charlie visits his hardworking grandparents in the summer, he's often left to himself. One day he goes out to play by the stream with a tin can for tadpoles, a special weed-whacking stick, and stones to drop from the iron bridge. He notices that when he strikes the bridge with a big stone, it rings with a bong like a church bell and echoes into the valley. And sometimes a faint, very distant, different-sounding bong comes back.

At once wistful and exhilarating, this lyrical story evokes the inexorable passage of time - and the awe-inspiring power of nature to lift us up.

The anthology features a diverse collection of contemporary American poetry, short fiction, and nonfiction, all crafted by living writers from 1980 to the present. Each piece is chosen for its literary quality and its engagement with critical themes such as identity, oppression, injustice, and social change, offering readers a profound exploration of pressing societal issues through the lens of modern literature.