District and Circle: Poems

No wonder Seamus Heaney was the poet laureate of Ireland. His poems are thought provoking and stir up images of Ireland past and present. This is a book I can pick up again and again and just read a poem here and there depending on my mood or desire. It's a book to be savored rather than devoured. Any fan of Irish history, literature, culture, or geography will find it difficult not to get immersed in the captivating language, rhythm and flow of these poems... like music to the soul.

I listened to an interview with Mr Heaney on NPR. I am of Irish decent and we are planning a trip to Ireland in the Spring. He had one poem in which he mentioned my ancestral name, so I purchased this book. His poems are stories and picturesque descriptions of the country and the people. Its like listening in on a conversation about people and places he knows. I'm reading them over and over again.

You cannot read these poems without feeling better about the whole universe. He hears an underground piper. His house has no upstairs. He celebrates stretcher bearers, bricklayers. Turns walls into air. He chooses red haws and whins, brogues and rigs, cripples with perseverence and we feel the work as we go along. He watches the pollen sowings tarnish her pools. He's mother nature's strong right hand and eye. God bless him.

Seamus is a special writer and story teller. Better than Yeats in my view. Ireland is a land of story tellers and he is one of the best.

Heaney's so provincial in both tone and vocabulary that it's quite often difficult to comprehend the universality of his efforts, but a few poems manage to rise above his strong identity as an Irishman.

THIS IS WHAT A 'SLIM VOLUME' SHOULD BE, HARD COVER,WELL BOUND, QUALITY PAPER, EASY TO SLIP INTO A POCKET AND SIP FROM AT ODD MOMENTS. WONDERFUL POEMS, LIKE A SERIES OF SNAPSHOTS - WHAT ONE EXPECTS FROM SEAMUS HEANEY, A VARIETY OF INTENSE, IMMEDIATE; SHARED MOMENTS, LIKE THE 'COLD SMOOTH CREEPING STEEL AND SNICKING SCISSORS' OF CLIP.

Why do so many people admire this poet? I keep trying but failing to. I think he is best if you actually hear him read aloud. On the page, unless you are Irish the music gets lost.

As described

Heaney is a "legen" in his own time (I'm sure he would forgive the cliche). He always comes across as a modest man and makes no exaggerated claims: he has nothin to declare except his genius. The poetry can and must be read over and over. Read and let it speak for itself.

I was so sad to hear of the death of Seamus Heaney, a truly great poet. I bought this to mark the sad occasion as I had neglected to read these poems up til now. I keep them on my bedside table and read and contemplate on one each night.Highly recommended.

Has all the qualities we expect even for the unexpected location.

I enjoy the poetry of Seamus Heaney as he writes with clarity and wonderfully descriptive language. He is down-to-earth, being able to see all sides of conflict in his own country.

Great poetry. B. Gallagher