What Is Poetry?

Poetry is the Unknown Guest in the house.
Poetry is the Great Memory, every word a live metaphor.
Poetry the eye of the heart, the heart of the mind.
Words wait to be reborn in the shadow of the lamp of poetry.

Described as a "sublime distillation of an author's lifework," What is Poetry? is a brilliant, soulful, and life-affirming collection of aphorisms in free verse by one of our most important contemporary poets, Lawrence Ferlinghetti. In this latest collection, Ferlinghetti (who began writing the aphorisms in 1950 and has read them in public on a number of occasions) shares brief observations that capture the nature of poetic expression.

Anansi is thrilled to be releasing What is Poetry? in a spectacular hardcover limited edition, featuring stunning full-colour artwork by acclaimed visual artist and filmmaker, Frederic Amat. This is a unique and timeless collector's edition that Ferlinghetti fans and all lovers of poetry will want to have on their shelves.