Franz Wright was recognized as one of the leading poets of his generation even before he won the 2004 Pulitzer Prize. His voice and sensibility are distinctive, and the places he goes are ones where not many writers are able or willing to venture. The dark world of his poems, which face many of the hardest truths we must learn to live with, is lit by humor, tenderness, compassion, and honesty. For this edition, the poet has selected from the best of his previous collections, in some cases making substantial revisions, and has added his newest poems. The resulting collection is exciting in its breadth, consistency, depth, and distinction.
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From the Book:
Birthday
I make my way down the back stairs
in the dark. I know
it sounds crude to admit it,
but I like to piss in the back yard.
You can be alone for a minute
and look up at the stars,
and when you return
everyone is there.
You get drunker, and listen to records.
Everyone agrees.
The dead singers have the best voices.
At four o’clock in the morning
the dead singers have the best voices.
And I can hear them now,
as I climb the stairs
in the dark I know.
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