Scanty Plot of Ground
A Book of Sonnets
(Author) Paul MuldoonAn essential anthology of beloved classics, hidden treasures and standout contemporary examples of this ever-vital and enthralling verse form. In the introduction to his selection of some of the greatest sonnets ever written, Paul Muldoon reminds us that part of the reason for the "durability" of the sonnet is its "very specific duration." It is the perfect length for what Dante Gabriel Rossetti described as "a moment's monument" or William Wordsworth as a "scanty plot of ground" offering "brief solace" for those who "have felt the weight of too much liberty." Among the poets included in this centuries-spanning edition are Elizabeth Bishop, Wanda Coleman, John Donne, Terrance Hayes, John Keats, Claude McKay, Edna St Vincent Millay, Christina Rossetti, William Shakespeare, Patricia Smith and W. B. Yeats. There are also translations by Muldoon of sonnets by Charles Baudelaire, Rainer Maria Rilke and César Vallejo, as well as the duo of Paul Verlaine and Arthur Rimbaud.
Paul Muldoon
Paul Muldoon is an Irish poet known for his intricate and innovative verse. He has published numerous collections of poetry, including "Moy Sand and Gravel," which won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 2003. Muldoon's work often features wordplay, allusions to Irish history and mythology, and a keen sense of irony. He is celebrated for his unique style and has had a significant impact on contemporary poetry. One of his most famous works is "Meeting the British," a collection that showcases his skillful use of language and complex themes. Muldoon's contributions to literature have earned him numerous awards and accolades, cementing his reputation as one of the most important poets of his generation.