A Poetry Handbook: A Prose Guide to Understanding and Writing Poetry

Mary Oliver's essential guide strips away the mystery of poetry without losing any of its magic. With her characteristic clarity and warmth, she explores everything from sound and line breaks to imagery and revision, making the craft accessible to beginners while offering genuine insight for seasoned writers. Part manifesto, part masterclass, this is poetry instruction that actually feels like poetry. Perfect for aspiring poets, teachers, and anyone who's ever wanted to move beyond simply reading poems to truly understanding how they work.