What Happened When He Went to the Store for Bread: Poems

by Alden Nowlan and Thomas R. Smith

Rare book of poetry by Alden Nowlan. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1883070007
• ISBN13: 9781883070007
• Release Date: January 1993
• Publisher: Nineties Press
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Poems that Grow

I much enjoyed this collection of poems by the Canadian poet and author Alden Nowlan. The editor provides a fine introduction with welcome biographical information. I found several poems quite memorable including "A Mime for Lovers," a nice fable for a man and woman about to embark on a relationship. I especially appreciated the last section of the book "Meeting the Eye of Anybody" which includes the signature poem "What Happened When He Went to the Store for Bread," a beautifully crafted reflection on life's small but decisive moments. This section also contains several marvelous poems on Nowlan's love for his wife and son. ("Subway Psalm, "Great Things Have Happened," "How beautiful Art Thy Feet with Shoes") Each poem seems like a small story that grows organically until it blossoms into a subtle but profound and perfect conclusion. Nowlan seems a master at the art of blending warm-heartedness with wry self-observation in a way that creates poems that are touching but not sentimental - a delicate balance of soul and spirit.