The Shape of the Journey

<DIV><p><STRONG>"This is poetry worth loving, hating, and fighting over."—<EM>The New York Times Book Review</EM></STRONG></p><P>Here is the definitive collection of poetry from one of America’s best-loved writers—now available in paperback. With the publication of this book, eight volumes of poetry were brought back into print, including the early nature-based lyrics of <EM>Plain Song</EM>, the explosive <EM>Outlyer & Ghazals</EM>, and the startling "correspondence" with a dead Russian poet in <EM>Letters to Yesenin</EM>. Also included is an introduction by Harrison, several previously uncollected poems, and "Geo-Bestiary," a 34-part paean to earthly passions. <EM>The Shape of the Journey</EM> confirms Jim Harrison’s place among the most brilliant and essential poets writing today.</p><p>"Behind the words one always feels the presence of a passionate, exuberant man who is at the same time possessed of a quick, subtle intelligence and a deeply questioning attitude toward life. Harrison writes so winningly that one is simply content to be in the presence of a writer this vital, this large-spirited."—<EM>The New York Times Book Review</EM></P><p>"(An) untrammelled renegade genius… here’s a poet talking to you instead of around himself, while doing absolutely brilliant and outrageous things with language."—<EM>Publishers Weekly</EM></P><p>"Readers can wander the woods of this collection for a lifetime and still be amazed at what they find."—<EM>Booklist</EM> (starred review.)</P><p>When the cloth edition of this book was first published, it immediately became one of Copper Canyon Press’s all-time bestsellers. It was featured on Garrison Keillor’s <EM>Writer’s Almanac</EM>, became a finalist for the <EM>Los Angeles Times Book Prize</EM>, and was selected as one of the "Top-Ten Books of 1998" by <EM>Booklist</EM>.</p><p><STRONG>Jim Harrison</STRONG> is the author of dozens of books, including <EM>Legends of the Fall</EM> and <EM>In Search of Small Gods</EM>. He has also written numerous screenplays and served as the food columnist for <EM>Esquire</EM> magazine. He lives in Montana and Arizona.</P><p><STRONG>Dead Deer</STRONG></P><p>Amid pale green milkweed, wild clover,<BR> a rotted deer<BR> curled, shaglike,<BR> after a winter so cold<BR> the trees split open.<BR> I think she couldn''t keep up with<BR> the others (they had no place<BR> to go) and her food,<BR> frozen grass and twigs,<B></DIV>