Selected Early Odes by Pablo Neruda
In addition to vibrant translations of Nerudas early odes, William Pitt Root has given us a fine introduction about why this gathering matters. In both the original poems and the translations, the high energy is exciting and clear. And having assimilated Neruda's seemingly off-handed style in what he calls these 'tall, slender poetic stalks,' Root has a world of gifts for us that's powerful and engaging." James Hoggard, author, Triangles of Light: The Edward Hopper Poems and The Mayor's Daughter "Two great voices meet and dance in this sterling new translation. Bill Pitt Root is the perfect partner for Neruda. Pure joy." Lus Urrea, author, Queen of America and The Hummingbird's Daughter "Sublime Blue is an extraordinary and very welcome collection of Nerudas early odes, from those well-known in English to those unknown. Poet William Pitt Root has done a masterful job of bringing some of Nerudas most enigmatic poems into English. Nerudas majestic language and vision are rendered here with passion and eloquence. This is a true gift to poetry." Marjorie Agosin, human rights activist and Luella Lamer Slaner professor of Latin American Studies, Wellesley College
Pablo Neruda was the pen name of the Chilean writer and communist politician Ricardo Eliecer Neftal Reyes Basoalto. He won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1971 and is the author of The Heights of Macchu Picchu and World's End. William Pitt Root is the author of numerous poetry collections, including Reasons for Going It on Foot, The Storm and Other Poems, and Trace Elements from a Recurring Kingdom: The First Five Books of William Pitt Root. He is the recipient of the Guy Owen Award, three Pushcart Prizes, and the Stanley Kunitz Prize. Most recently, he has served as the John C. Hodges visiting writer at the University of TennesseeKnoxville. He lives in Durango, Colorado.