james h. ransom

James Ransom presents readers with poems covering an astonishing diversity of subjects. There are iconic echoes in some of them—Auden, Eliot and Shakespeare, as well as John Crowe Ransom and Christian Wiman—but comprehending the poems is never dependent on the reader’s scholarship. These poems are plain-spoken and heartfelt. The subjects include observations of nature—prairie landscapes of Kansas (title poem) as well as the crags and forests of Scotland. You will be taken to an emergency room and surgery; you will also read about the arson of a church, even the demise of a fish. There are lessons from history and ironic observations about poetry itself. A sense of humor is found in unexpected places. Ransom reflects on childhood and maturity, and on his love and admiration for family members with challenges to meet. He is not afraid to confront questions of religion and faith in unorthodox ways. Political themes are not taboo here, but neither do they dominate. For a clash of cultures, read “Interview From Kotzebue.” Or try “Darfur.” Unlike the tradition of most books of poetry, Ransom includes photos and paintings. He believes that we live immersed in a culture of image and motion, which can be used to add another dimension to some poems. In that sense, this book is an experiment. If you have been confused, bored or disappointed by modern poetry, this book may help you re-engage.