The Hurting Kind: Poems
Product ID: 366049036
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An astonishing collection about interconnectedness—between the human and nonhuman, ancestors and ourselves—from National Book Critics Circle Award winner, National Book Award finalist and U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón. “I have always been too sensitive, a weeper / from a long line of weepers,” writes Limón. “I am the hurting kind.” What does it mean to be the hurting kind? To be sensitive not only to the world’s pain and joys, but to the meanings that bend in the scrim between the natural world and the human world? To divine the relationships between us all? To perceive ourselves in other beings—and to know that those beings are resolutely their own, that they “do not / care to be seen as symbols”? With Limón’s remarkable ability to trace thought, The Hurting Kind explores those questions—incorporating others’ stories and ways of knowing, making surprising turns, and always reaching a place of startling insight. These poems slip through the seasons, teeming with horses and kingfishers and the gleaming eyes of fish. And they honor parents, stepparents, and grandparents: the sacrifices made, the separate lives lived, the tendernesses extended to a hurting child; the abundance, in retrospect, of having two families. Along the way, we glimpse loss. There are flashes of the pandemic, ghosts whose presence manifests in unexpected memories and the mysterious behavior of pets left behind. But The Hurting Kind is filled, above all, with connection and the delight of being in the world. “Slippery and waddle thieving my tomatoes still / green in the morning’s shade,” writes Limón of a groundhog in her garden, “she is doing what she can to survive.” Review: ‘To be made whole by not being a witness, but witnessed’ - California poet Ada Limón has become an established artist, her award-winning poems appearing in the New Yorker, the New York Times, Tin House, and the American Poetry Review, among others. Her voice is gentle, her words flow like nature, and her thoughts touch memories and expectations so sensitively that she sits beside us, communicating through her memorable poems. As has been shared, ‘an astonishing collection about interconnectedness—between the human and nonhuman, ancestors and ourselves.’ A sample follows: SWEAR ON IT Loosen the thin threads spoolng in the rafters Invisible nests in night’s green offerings, divide And then divide again. American linden looming Over the streetlights, so Much taller is the tree So much taller is the tree. Limón’s spectrum includes both tender and lusty themes, offered in many versions of poetic expression that enhance each message. This is a fine poet to discover – and follow! Review: A Poetic Ode to Tender Sensitivity - Ada Limón’s "The Hurting Kind" is a profound exploration of empathy and interconnectedness, weaving together the human and natural worlds with exquisite grace. Limón’s poetry resonates deeply, as she navigates themes of grief and joy with poignant clarity. In her words, "I have always been too sensitive, a weeper / from a long line of weepers," she captures the tender essence of existence, inviting readers to reflect on their own vulnerabilities and connections. This collection is a testament to Limón’s mastery of language and emotion, offering solace and insight with every verse.
| Best Sellers Rank | #34,889 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #8 in Hispanic American Poetry #21 in Family Poetry (Books) #38 in Death, Grief & Loss Poetry (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.7 out of 5 stars 464 Reviews |
G**P
‘To be made whole by not being a witness, but witnessed’
California poet Ada Limón has become an established artist, her award-winning poems appearing in the New Yorker, the New York Times, Tin House, and the American Poetry Review, among others. Her voice is gentle, her words flow like nature, and her thoughts touch memories and expectations so sensitively that she sits beside us, communicating through her memorable poems. As has been shared, ‘an astonishing collection about interconnectedness—between the human and nonhuman, ancestors and ourselves.’ A sample follows: SWEAR ON IT Loosen the thin threads spoolng in the rafters Invisible nests in night’s green offerings, divide And then divide again. American linden looming Over the streetlights, so Much taller is the tree So much taller is the tree. Limón’s spectrum includes both tender and lusty themes, offered in many versions of poetic expression that enhance each message. This is a fine poet to discover – and follow!
M**Y
A Poetic Ode to Tender Sensitivity
Ada Limón’s "The Hurting Kind" is a profound exploration of empathy and interconnectedness, weaving together the human and natural worlds with exquisite grace. Limón’s poetry resonates deeply, as she navigates themes of grief and joy with poignant clarity. In her words, "I have always been too sensitive, a weeper / from a long line of weepers," she captures the tender essence of existence, inviting readers to reflect on their own vulnerabilities and connections. This collection is a testament to Limón’s mastery of language and emotion, offering solace and insight with every verse.
P**R
Ada Limon is the Poet Laureate! A bright light.
Here is a poet for the people. Ada is an animal lover, a plant lover, a lover, period. She is a profound observer of small things and large things and can skim through the available words to bring you a new view of a fox on the move, or of a leaf forming on a bush and then maybe the inner import of those things. I am totally in love with Ada Limon as a poet and do recommend her to you.
S**S
Power
A mixture of grief, wisdom, memory, longing and love. Mostly love and acceptance. Aside touching collection of a talented poet.
C**Z
Yes you should absolutely order it, and read this collection at your local coffee shop.
The entire collection left me gutted, tender, and immersed with the gratitude for the ability to connect to these words. I closed the book feeling alive and raw with so many emotions. This collection is a journey through the beauty, and pain of passage that tunnels you through sunflower, and barb wire. An absolute must read.
A**R
Hurt
How could I not give five stars!? Ada Lemon’s The Hurting Kind, each poem touches the mind by way of verbal vibrations past and present. The last poem, The End of Poetry for me is where each of her poems begin. Touch! At the end you are wounded alive.
G**R
Current Poet Laureate's latest book
Ada Limon, a tough writer from Sonoma, CA, looks at life unblinking. But she's more mournful and skeptical of good emotions than suits me in a poet -- also, non-traditional in form.
L**A
Incredibly good
She has acute insight in her observations, then to be able to express truth and emotion like this, so directly, it’s stunning. Nature, landscape and animals are all with her in life at every step, for the good and terrible. Heartening to read.
E**D
Magnifique
Une collection à écouter et réécouter
J**Y
als Geschenk gekauft
Super!
J**N
Four and a half stars
There is some great and moving poetry here. The volume takes a few poems to get into its stride. As good as the previous two books and possibility a little more mature overall.
C**S
A gift
Recipient loves the book
N**N
Great book
Good value, great poetry, would definitely recommend
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