You've Just Been Told: Poems

By Elizabeth Macklin

Book Overview

Here, in Elizabeth Macklin's second collection, an only child's responses to the fait accompli of childhood--decisions already made, accidents of history and family, patterns preset--come to the adult mind in the presence of change and grief. The mind regroups as it can: later light on the hills of houses / before us / just as they are, as versus none.

[P]oems of abrupt perception and rigorous lyricism.--New York Times Book Review I love Elizabeth Macklin's poems.--Thomas Lux The joy and intelligence in these poems is simply tremendous.--Tomaz Salamun, author of The Four Questions of Melancholy Mastery as well as mystery, and we are grateful for what we've just been told.--Richard Howard Macklin the Magician does it again!....dazzling evocations.--Marie Ponsot, author of The Bird Catcher [A]n exceedingly wise book--and joyful, too, though the joy is never glib or easy-won...--Bill McKibben Elizabeth Macklin talks to me, woman to woman, poet to poet. In listening to her, I am rewarded.--Nina Cassian

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0393321584
• ISBN13: 9780393321586
• Release Date: July 2001
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Length: 96 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Confusing but Excellent

The reason I had to read this book was for a school poetry project. I had to write many explications on Elizabeth Macklin's poems, and it was a long and confusing process. I enjoyed her book greatly, and if you like poetry, Macklin is someone to consider reading.

Elizabeth Macklin is an amazing poet

I first read Macklin's poetry in issues of the New Yorker about 10 years ago. I was impressed by her use of emotionally-laden language while keeping the poem perfectly grounded and vivid. Her work is sharp and graceful and absolutely lovely. 'One time I sat down / on the steps of a ladder, holding a cup of black / coffee that nearly woke the world...' This particular collection has many of my favorite Macklin poems: "Foolishly Halved, I See You," "Given The Questions," and "You've Just Been Told."