The Poetry of Men's Lives

Alive with the wisdom, artistry, and emotion of more than 250 poets from nearly one hundred countries, this anthology celebrates the multifaceted experience of contemporary manhood. The lives into which these poems invite us reveal the influences of culture, heredity, personal experience, values, beliefs, wishes, desires, loves, and betrayals. Men are notoriously reluctant to open up and discuss these things; and yet when they do—as in these poems—they tell us about their families, lovers, relationships, political and religious beliefs, sexuality, and childhoods. There is much to learn here about who men are and how they see their worlds.

Collects close to three hundred poems, in English or English translation, by more than 250 poets.Nearly one hundred countries are represented, from Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, South America, Central America and the Caribbean, North America, and Oceania (including Australia and New Zealand).Organized in topical sections: Boyhood and Youth; Families; Identities: Cultural, Personal, Male; Men and Women; Myth, Archetypes, and Spirituality; Politics, War, and Revolution; Sex and Sexuality; Poets and Poetry, Artists and Art; Brothers, Friends, Mentors, and Rivals; Work, Sports, and Games; Aging, Illness, and Death.