David Whyte Reviews

Added June 12, 2007/p>

River Flow

New & Selected Poems: 1984-2007

Author: David Whyte
Publisher: Many Rivers Press
Available At: Bookstores everywhere
Publishing Date: April 2007
Genre: Nonfiction: Poetry
Format: Hardcover
Price: $29.00
ISBN-10: 1-932887-17-4
ISBN-13: 9781932887174
Reviewer: Joyce Handzo
Rating: 9 Gargoyles

At times gentle and peaceful, at other times, turbulent and thundering, River Flow is a magnificent collection of poetry with a vibrant voice. This beautiful book contains over one hundred fifty poems, most garnered from the author's previous works, but also including twenty-three new compositions. The table of contents organizes the poems according to topics, while noting the name of the book in which it first appeared.

David Whyte has a confident command of words, causing them to leap with emotion while drawing vivid pictures in the mind. His poems touch several dimensions of thought, from the spiritual realm to the tangible world around us. The profound and the poignant take on a heightened perception when seen through the author's eyes.

The ability of poetry to decipher our modern world is made clear throughout this book, as ideas are expressed with elegance and intuitiveness. Using this genre allows a deeper and more meaningful expression of feelings, as the themes are sensitively encased in passionate prose and lyrical language. From the petals of a flower to the purpose of life's unpredictable pathways, these words tickle the mind with tantalizing tidbits of thoughts.

To this reviewer's delight, a section of the book is devoted to Ireland. The poetry clearly captures images of the people, the politics and the impassioned personalities that make up this culture. David Whyte's words are a welcoming embrace as the "hands across the water" reach out through these pages in a gesture of friendship and familiarity.

River Flow is a graceful journey, highlighting the ebb and flow of humanity as it drifts along on words of wisdom, compassion and understanding.

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