NF, poetry Irish,

This is the first collection I have read from Seamus Heaney and I, for the most part, found it very enjoyable. I liked the rapid fire comma separated phrases that rattled off quickly adding to the effect of the poem. The prose poems were not the best in the collection. The "Pitchfork" takes a simple utilitarian tool and puts it on the same level as Keats' 'Ode on a Grecian Urn.' Heaney also gives an excellent rendition of Beowulf. The mention of Han-Shan's Cold Mountain took me back to Kerouac's Dharma Bums. A collection of sonnets are included. Heaney mixes traditional poetry with some great storytelling in prose poetry.

Detailed review after a second reading. ( )