A Journey with Two Maps: Becoming a Woman Poet (Pen Literary Award: Creative Nonfiction)

""This is a book of being and becoming. It is about being a poet. It is also about the long process of becoming one," writes Eavan Boland. These inspiring essays are both critical and deeply personal, allowing the adventure, passion, and struggle of becoming a woman poet to be viewed from different perspectives. Boland traces her own experiences as a woman, wife, and mother and their effects on her poetry. In the opening essay, she explores the story of her mother, a painter, and her influence on Boland's own concepts of art and womanhood. She examines the work of women poets such as Adrienne Rich, Elizabeth Bishop, Gwendolyn Brooks, and Sylvia Plath, whose poetry provided light and guidance for her own work. And finally, in "Letter to a Young Woman Poet," she addresses an unseen young poet of the future, and looks to a world where this future artist can change the poetic past as well as the present."--Publisher's website. Read more... Abstract: ""This is a book of being and becoming. It is about being a poet. It is also about the long process of becoming one," writes Eavan Boland. These inspiring essays are both critical and deeply personal, allowing the adventure, passion, and struggle of becoming a woman poet to be viewed from different perspectives. Boland traces her own experiences as a woman, wife, and mother and their effects on her poetry. In the opening essay, she explores the story of her mother, a painter, and her influence on Boland's own concepts of art and womanhood. She examines the work of women poets such as Adrienne Rich, Elizabeth Bishop, Gwendolyn Brooks, and Sylvia Plath, whose poetry provided light and guidance for her own work. And finally, in "Letter to a Young Woman Poet," she addresses an unseen young poet of the future, and looks to a world where this future artist can change the poetic past as well as the present."--Publisher's website This Is A Book Of Being And Becoming. It Is About Being A Poet. It Is Also About The Long Process Of Becoming One, Writes Eavan Boland. These Inspiring Essays Are Both Critical And Deeply Personal, Allowing The Adventure, Passion, And Struggle Of Becoming A Woman Poet To Be Viewed From Different Perspectives. Boland Traces Her Own Experiences As A Woman, Wife, And Mother And Their Effects On Her Poetry. In The Opening Essay, She Explores The Story Of Her Mother, A Painter, And Her Influence On Boland's Own Concepts Of Art And Womanhood. She Examines The Work Of Women Poets Such As Adrienne Rich, Elizabeth Bishop, Gwendolyn Brooks, And Sylvia Plath, Whose Poetry Provided Light And Guidance For Her Own Work. And Finally, In Letter To A Young Woman Poet, She Addresses An Unseen Young Poet Of The Future, And Looks To A World Where This Future Artist Can Change The Poetic Past As Well As The Present.--publisher's Website. Journeys. A Journey With Two Maps ; The Rooms Of Other Women Poets ; Becoming An Irish Poet ; Reading As Intimidation ; Translating The Underworld ; Domestic Violence -- Maps. Adrienne Rich ; Elizabeth Bishop: An Unromantic American ; Charlotte Mew: An Introduction ; The Other Sylvia Plath ; The Case Of Edna St. Vincent Millay ; Denise Levertov: Letters To A Broken World ; Looking Back And Finding Anne Bradstreet ; Reading Gwendolyn Brooks ; Being An Irish Poet: The Communal Art Of Paula Meehan ; A Latin Poet: A Lost Encounter -- Destinations. Letter To A Young Woman Poet. Eavan Boland. Includes Index. An eloquent series of linked essays about the poetic enterprise from "one of the finest and boldest poets of the last half century" ( Poetry Review ). "This is a book of being and becoming. It is about being a poet. It is also about the long process of becoming one," writes Eavan Boland. These inspiring essays are both critical and deeply personal, allowing the adventure, passion, and struggle of becoming a woman poet to be viewed from different perspectives. Boland traces her own experiences as a woman, wife, and mother and their effects on her poetry. In the opening essay, she explores the story of her mother, a painter, and her influence on Boland's own concepts of art and womanhood. She examines the work of women poets such as Adrienne Rich, Elizabeth Bishop, Gwendolyn Brooks, and Sylvia Plath, whose poetry provided light and guidance for her own work. And finally, in "Letter to a Young Woman Poet," she addresses an unseen young poet of the future, and looks to a world where this future artist can change the poetic past as well as the present. "Boland offers encouragement to women poets of the future. . . . Her vivid imagery will beguile many."— Publishers Weekly , starred reviewThese inspiring essays from the celebrated poet Eavan Boland are both critical and deeply personal, revealing the adventure, passion, and struggle of becoming a woman poet. In this thematic sequel to her classic Object Lessons , Boland traces her own experiences as a woman, wife, and mother and their effect on her poetry, and she looks to a world where she can change the poetic past as well as the present.