David Constantine's second book shows a remarkable development in the range and power of his poetry. After establishing his reputation with the quiet but resonant poems of A Brightness to Cast Shadows (1980), Constantine has gone on to achieve a classical mastery of form and to further develop a highly individual voice, which now has an almost visionary edge. In the poems and related Greek translations of Watching for Dolphins David Constantine recreates a complete imaginative world. Mythical an biblical figures - Christ, Lazarus, Aphrodite and Persephone - appear as opposing forces of Christian compassion and classical excellence. Contrasts and contradictions are at the heart of Constantine's poetic world. The possibility of personal happiness is insisted upon: any wider optimism would be out of place.
- ISBN10 0906427541
- ISBN13 9780906427545
- Publish Date 23 June 1983
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 17 January 1994
- Publish Country GB
- Imprint Bloodaxe Books Ltd
- Format Paperback
- Pages 96
- Language English