These poems exhibit the range of Sam Hamill's celebrated practice and vision, from philosophical and discursive elements to the intensely lyrical, from his continuing poems of praise (and elegies) for fellow poets to the clear influence of the Zen classics he has so notably translated.

"To Gray on Our Anniversary"

I've relished years of bliss with you despite the nefarious Hells this suffering world has put us through.

I know you're not fond of growing old, and what pain's to come, only time will tell. Still, you are my comfort in the cold

of Odyssean storm-tossed seas, my bride, my muse, my Penelope.

Sam Hamill is the author of fourteen volumes of original poetry. He has published three collections of essays and two dozen volumes translated from ancient Greek, Latin, Estonian, Japanese, and Chinese. He is the founding editor of Copper Canyon Press and director of Poets Against War. His work has been translated into more than a dozen languages.

Sam Hamill was an American poet who authored fourteen volumes of original poetry. In addition, he published three collections of essays and two dozen volumes translated from ancient Greek, Latin, Estonian, Japanese, and Chinese. He was a founding editor of Copper Canyon Press and director of Poets Against War. His work has been translated into more than a dozen languages. He died in 2018.