Said-Songs: Essays on Poetry and Place Paperback – October 1, 2021

I have been an avid reader of nearly every genre of written creativity except for poetry. Other than the rhythmic beautiful descriptions in certain pieces, the heart and soul of poetry has always escaped me. This book moved me closer to discovering and understanding that beat. It has a heavy focus on the Appalachian region, and taught me the deep purpose of cadence and the beauty of the simplicity found in that. Some of the poems are dark, some not so much. I really enjoyed this book and it showed me on a more personal level why poetry should be read and appreciated. Graves work is a treasure.

The first essay on the lyric is necessary reading for any poet.The whole book is excellent reading, often on the Appalachian writers. Excellent resource for scholars and casual readers. Highly recommend. Somehow the essays are both intimate and deeply theoretical. Powerful display of Jesse Grave's scope of thinking.