THE GODS OF WINTER
Poems by Dana Gioia

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”Gioia’s is the poetry of the commonality of human existence as well as of the uncharted countries of the imagination. As at ease with the set form, from lyric to narrative, as with the freedoms of experimental verse, Gioia’s voice remains assured, often profoundly moving, always – in the best sense of the word – entertaining. These lucid, varied and beautifully-crafted poems are the work of one of the most accomplished poets to have emerged on either side of the Atlantic over the past decade.” – Charles Causley

From reviews of Dana Gioia’s first book, Daily Horoscope:

“Page for page, seldom has a first collection offered so many aesthetically, psychologically, and philosophically satisfying poems”. – Booklist

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Orchestra

Climbing the scales three octaves at a time,
I search for you among the high notes where
the tender flute resides. But where are your
sweet eyelashes? Not there.

Then I descend among the sunlit brasses -
their funnels glistening like fountain tips.
I let them splash me with their streaming gold,
but I can’t find your lips.

Then daring ever deeper I explore
the depths the elemental strings command.
Their bows will not create a miracle
without your stroking hand.

The orchestra is still. The score is blank.
Cold as a slide rule the brasses, strings, and flute.
Sonorous lover, when will you return?
The orchestra is mute.

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THE GODS OF WINTER
Price £7.95 per copy post free (£5.30 post free to Associate Members)
Cover art: Daniel Lang “Jordan’s Farm”
Publication: JULY 1991 (64 pages laminated paperback)