Sacramental Acts: The Love Poems of Kenneth Rexroth

by Kenneth Rexroth and Carlos Manzano

one third of the book devoted to his translations This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1556590806
• ISBN13: 9781556590801
• Release Date: October 1997
• Publisher: Copper Canyon Press
• Length: 132 Pages
• Weight: 0.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

Clear as spring water reflecting the night sky

There's no mistaking a Kenneth Rexroth poem -- intelligence, erudition, intensity, and precise beauty are always present. These qualities are demonstrated to magnificent effect in this collection of love poems ... but forget about any vapid associations the phrase "love poems" might have, because these pages are a contained universe of life & emotion. This is adult work in the best sense of the word, intended for a thoughtful & passionate audience. All of Rexroth's learning is in these lines, but he never flaunts it or calls attention to it. No, it's simply there, like the grain in a fine piece of carved wood. The tone is both observant and intensely engaged, reminiscent of the Chinese & Japanese poets he loved & translated so superbly. Yet it's always his own distinctive voice we hear, never just a pale imitation of those other poets. These are poems about nature, about love, sexuality, the modern world, literature, spirituality -- all woven together into an intricate golden braid, apparently without any effort. If you're looking for "nice," obvious greeting card verse, you'll have to look elsewhere. But if you want poetry that's as rich & complex as love itself, then you'll find it in this volume -- most highly recommended!

One of the greatest books of love poetry ever published

Rexroth's poems are expansive, lucid, and human. His is a great heart, a great mind, and a consummate poetic talent. These are poems for the ages and the fact that they are in print 20 years after his death attests to that fact.

At the heart of Rexroth is Rexroth's heart

Rexroth's relationships with women were equal parts passion and turmoil. He was married four times. In addition, both during and between marriages he indulged in numerous affairs. Interestingly, his love poetry stands in stark contrast to the rather painful bent of his personal romantic life. "Sacramental Acts" culls the best of Rexroth's love poetry from his entire career. The result is an ode to a romantic ideal. Given the accessible style of Rexroth's love poetry, this title makes a wonderful library addition for even the most casual poetry fan. On a more scholarly plane, Rexroth viewed human awareness and interaction as threefold concetric circles. At the center was the individual. The next ring was the "beloved". Outermost was society et al. "Sacramental Acts" is the heart and voice of the second ring.