I saw that a dear, sweet friend of mine reviewed this collection, and as I'm the one who recommended that she buy it in the first place, I figure that I should probably review it myself.

This is a lovely collection of poetry from old Drayton, Spenser, and Shakespeare to more modern early- to mid-1900's pieces. It is a perfect introduction to many classics and also has a handful of pieces that I have never seen in any other collection.

It is a perfect collection for anyone new to poetry. There is a theme, which makes analysis and enjoyment a bit easier (they are all about some manner of 'love'). Also, every immensely popular love poem that I can think of is in this collection, from "She Walks in Beauty Like the Night" to "How Do I Love Thee?". Because it crosses many poetry eras, it is also easy to begin with the modern easy-to-understand pieces and work backward.

For me, this book is nostalgic. I began analyzing poetry at age 13, and I have owned my copy of this collection since right around that age. What teenage girl doesn't love sappy romance?

These poems helped to launch my love affair with poetry itself. I learned to appreciate the classics while sifting through the pages. Many of my favorites at the time are still favorites today as well.

"Because I Liked You Better" by A. E. Housman
"One Day I Wrote Her Name Upon the Strand" by Edmund Spenser
"To His Coy Love" by Michael Drayton
"Good-Night" by Percy Bysshe Shelley

These are just a handful on the many poems that are so imprinted on my psyche that I could recite them perfectly in my sleep. I have also read them so many times from this particular volume that the images that accompany them appear before my eyes whenever I think of the poems.

To be honest, this book made me feel like a grown up. I understood many of the poems immediately and took great pleasure in figuring out the meanings of others. Today, I feel happy and nostalgic just seeing the book on my shelf.

Do note that I consider this collection to be rated 'E' because any adult-type content is bound to go unnoticed by those too young to understand such things. However, there is a fair number of "rose buds" and "white horse" thighs and similar graphic bits of imagery that will only mean something to an adult or teen.

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Created Jul 09, 2015 at 10:12pm • Submit your own review...