
Peter Porter published his first book of poems, Once Bitten, Twice Bitten, in 1961. Since then, his first collection has been joined by fourteen others, all of which are gathered into this two-volume Collected Poems, timed to coincide with the poet's seventieth birthday. In addition to Once Bitten, Twice Bitten, Volume I includes Poems Ancient and Modern (1964), A Porter Portfolio (1969), The Last of England (1970), Preaching to the Converted (1972), After Martial (1972), Living in a Calm Country (1975), The Cost of Seriousness (1978), and English Subtitles (1981).The second volume covers the period 1984-1998 and includes an entirely new collection, Both Ends Against the Middle, published here for the first time, as well as Fast Forward (1984), The Automatic Oracle (1987), Possible Worlds (1989), The Chair of Babel (1992), and Dragons in Their Pleasant Places (1997).
This collection captures the evolution of Peter Porter’s poetic voice as he navigates the cultural and personal landscapes of the late twentieth century. The poet seeks to reconcile the tension between classical tradition and the fragmented realities of modern life, often employing a sharp, analytical lens to examine social artifice and individual mortality. Through a variety of formal structures and free verse, Porter confronts the limitations of language and the persistent influence of history on contemporary existence.
Readers and critics frequently highlight Porter’s ability to maintain a consistent intellectual rigor across two decades of work. Discussion often centers on his unique capacity to blend erudite references with the mundane details of daily life in Britain. Many observers note that the pacing of the collection allows for a clear view of his stylistic development from early, biting satire to more meditative, late-career reflections. The balance between his formal technical skill and his cynical, yet deeply felt, thematic concerns remains a primary point of interest for scholars of contemporary verse.
Page Count:
432
Publication Date:
1999-07-22
ISBN-10:
0192880977
ISBN-13:
9780192880970
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!