Good Poems

Selected and Introduced by Garrison Keillor

By: Emily Dickinson, Walt Whitman, Robert Frost, Charles Bukowski, Billy Collins, Robert Bly, Sharon Olds, Garrison Keillor - editor

Narrated by: Garrison Keillor

Length: 4 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

Good Poems includes poems about lovers, children, failure, everyday life, death, and transcendence. It features the work of classic poets, such as Emily Dickinson, Walt Whitman, and Robert Frost, as well as the work of contemporary greats such as Howard Nemerov, Charles Bukowski, Donald Hall, Billy Collins, Robert Bly, and Sharon Olds. Good Poems includes poems about lovers, children, failure, everyday life, death, and transcendence.

The poems are read by Keillor and a number of the poets included in the collection. Some are wise, some are funny, some are soothing or heartwarming. All were chosen for their wit, frankness, passion, and, in Keillor's words, their utter clarity in the face of everything else a person has to deal with at 7 a.m.

©2002 Garrison Keillor (P)2002 HighBridge Company

Great read

Very good, though having the chapters divided by poem would be nice! Otherwise excellent poetry

A Pure Delight

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This book is a pure delight. I expected to hear Garrison Keillor narrate all of the poems, and while his soothing voice began the book with Psalm 23, followed by Raymond Carver's "At Least," and John Berryman's "Address to the Lord," he was not the only narrator. I was surprised to hear the voice of Billy Collins reading his poem, "Nightclub," and a number of other poets and narrators reading their own or other poets' works. I also own a hard copy of this great anthology which is what prompted me to buy the audio version. At night, I put in my earbuds and listen to this book in bed as I fall asleep.

What other book might you compare Good Poems to and why?

Aimless Love by Billy Collins, while not an anthology, is another favorite poetry collection on audible.

Have you listened to any of Garrison Keillor’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have listened to Garrison Keillor read his poem of the day. He has a wonderful voice and delivery.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I was deeply touched by the reading of John Berryman's "Address to the Lord."

Any additional comments?

Hearing poetry read is a deeply contemplative experience, preferable to simply reading it in print. I hope that audible will add more books of poetry to the catalog.

Poems for people who don't like poetry

I'm not much of a reader of poetry, and I write it poorly. However, I enjoy Garrison Keillor's PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION, so I gave this volume a try. it's full of every mood we might imagine and a few we've never entertained. It has many, many voices . . . so if you don't like one poem, the next is almost certain to please. A lot was on aging well and poorly, and since I am of the ancient variety of human, I listened with great interest to the sentiments. I got the rhythm and got the thoughts and sat down to write my final wish, my burial request. I read it to my husband and he got depressed. Ah, well--no one needs to read it until I'm dead. Because of this little book of poetry, I have my fingers planned in verse, no less. I highly recommend the book. (Would you like to hear my poem?)

Accessible and Humane Poetry

These poems are reminders of what makes life worthwhile, read for us with both gravity and levity.

"Good Poems" Often Great

I've read aloud many a poem to a congregation and found these readings often outstanding, not overdramatic, conveying the spirit of the poem, bringing them alive.

Who doesn't love Keillor reciting anything?

Great book and so down to earth too. Love listening to mister Keillor and the way he casually talks about almost any subject. This is the kind of book that calls for a good cup of coffee (or tea) at the end of the day just to set things right and make it all peaceful again.

Very good, but. . .

I have three wishes: an unabridged version; a "chapter" break between poems [I listen with iTunes on my computer, and if I want to hear a poem over, it is difficult to navigate to the right spot]; and the title/poet named before each and every poem.

Very pleasant listen!! Highly recommended.

Poems to come back to

I love this book. I've had a casserole of it for years, and it's almost worn out. It's great to have it on my IPad now. The readings by Garrison and others are calm, without theatrics, and memorable. I listen often, and at length.

Pure delight

Listening to these poems was one of the greatest pleasures of my past two months. I savored them slowly, soaking them in. Sometimes laughing, sometimes remembering, sometimes realizing. I was deeply sad to come to it’s end. My only consolation is that I can go back to the beginning.

Enjoyable, thought provoking, and relaxing

Although Garrison Keillor has a bit of a muddy name at the moment, his voice transports me into my grandmother's kitchen. Both my grandmother and her kitchen are long gone, but his voice is safe and comforting. The poems weren't bad either.