Selected Poems

This collection showcases John Burnside's poetic mastery, exploring themes of home, absence, and renewal through beautifully crafted verses in Selected Poems.

In Selected Poems, John Burnside presents a remarkable collection that spans over seventeen years and nine previous volumes. His poetry is characterized by a luminous and graceful style, described by Bernard O'Donoghue as a 'poetic corpus of the first significance'. The collection invites readers into a world that exists on the thresholds of experience, where light and shadow intermingle, creating a space rich with mystery, myth, and longing.

The themes within Selected Poems unfold with Burnside's growing confidence and sinuous lyricism. He explores the individual's place in the world, the concept of home, and the tension between absence and the desire for renewal. Each poem serves as a reflection of the intimate connections we share with our surroundings, while also delving into the complexities of community and belonging. This interplay of ideas creates a resonant atmosphere that lingers with the reader long after the final line.

Burnside's work is marked by immaculate craftsmanship and profound philosophical insights. His haunting imagination weaves together personal and universal experiences, resulting in poetry that resonates on multiple levels. The exquisite music of his language invites readers to engage deeply with the text, making Selected Poems not just a collection, but a journey through the intricacies of human emotion and thought.