The Apple Trees at Olema: New and Selected Poems Paperback – April 5, 2011

Full disclosure, Robert Hass's Praise is one of my favorite books of poetry ever. It may have been the first book of poetry that I thought I understood, and later when I went back and read Field Guide, I was equally as transcended. Since then I have had mixed feeling about Hass's other other books. Of course his Milosz translations are wonderful as are his work with Haiku, but nothing had struck me as much as those to earlier works, that is until now.The Apple Trees at Olema is beautiful, scientifically precious, and pitch perfect. After reading this book, I went back and perused the rest of Hass. He is excellent. I would suggest you pack this book for a hike or a camping trip or to peak at in between slumbers in a hammock. This is a book that should be read outside. And if you read it inside, your mind will be outside soon enough on a grassy meadow, along the coast, near two apple trees.

The Apple Trees at Olema provides a great way to cover the poet's own selection of his best work covering several decades of his books. Though Robert Hass is a master of a wide variety of styles and forms, it is his longer-line,seemingly more-casual and conversation poems that touch in a more-personal way, though his poetic scope remains broad and vast. Hass is definitely able to make his lines "seem like a moment's thought," to quote Yates.

Mr. Hass,how did you do that thing with Cottonwood treesin The Apple Trees at Olema?Do you read your Amazon reviews?All, like, ten of them,and sigh, and sip your tea,or whatever homelywonder at why,why the Hell you ever got into this business?There is a Banana slicerwith thousands of reviewsbecause it is useless.*After “The Problem of Describing Trees,” I spent a good several hourson a hill overlooking Golden, Colorado,between the Table Mountains,and the Coors plant on Clear Creek,treesstaring right back at me.A copse of twinkling shads, a quiver-wake in themountain air, like coins lopping off crescentgold with the flitting eclipse of each plunging turndown, indolent light, of less worth,to the bottom of disenchanted waters.A flame licked canvas,bareness, scoured white,like autumnal Sycamore bones, butstout and fast to the rocks and dry earth,with a pallid, tired green, andliquefaction on their bellies, hung loose,like a catch, like a mirage oranything but Cottonwood.

Hass is a brilliant writer! His work is academic, without being overly so. His eye and voice is original.He brings to life flickers of those poets who have gone before him, and he can even make mundane objects appear interesting.

I really haven't been able to really get into this book yet, but from what I have read, it seems just okay although he does some really nice things with description and movement.

Book arrived in excellent condition, as advertised, and in a very timely manner.

One of my favorite books of poetry, and a beautiful cover/book design to boot. A great gift for lovers of: poetry, CA, flora & fauna, Taoism, haiku, history, geography, etc.

Excellent !