IN EVERY CARNATION: The Body of God by Barbara Knott
$19.99
In Barbara Knott’s third collection of poems, her relationship to nature and the natural world is exquisitely rendered, as are her relations to other humans. In these poems, erudite references find their place among the everyday—say, finding a dead beetle or watching a squirrel climb a bird feeder; her two small dogs, too, become characters in one of the highly original erotic pieces at the book’s center, and her visit to an art gallery with an elderly friend is nothing short of amazing in its references and detail. Yet, despite its accessibility, there’s not an ordinary word or image in this book. Over the years, Barbara Knott has honed a unique voice for herself, and In Every Carnation is a collection I’ll turn to again and again.
–Rosemary Daniell, award-winning author of eight books of poetry and prose, including A Sexual Tour of the Deep South (poems) and Fatal Flowers (memoir), and recipient of a tribute by the literary journal Minerva Rising in the naming of their Rosemary Daniell Fiction Prize.
Barbara Knott’s “Boxwood” is one of the most astounding poems I’ve read recently. She has a voice that can reach high notes, and I hope that like a diva she will keep on singing them. I love her work and wish her and her readers a long and wonderful love affair.
–Nikki Giovanni, author of more than twenty books of poetry who, as judge of New Millennium Writings’ Awards 28 poetry competition, chose “Boxwood” as first-prize winner.
I love reading Barbara Knott’s poetry because it refreshes the soul and challenges the mind like an afternoon spent with a witty and intelligent friend. Each poem left me feeling as if I too had known Manta and that I was better off for the experience.
–Kim Brown, Editor in Chief, Minerva Rising Literary Journal
Description
IN EVERY CARNATION: The Body of God
by Barbara Knott
$19.99, Full-length, paper
978-1-63534-546-9
2018
Award-winning poet and fiction writer Barbara Knott hosts The Grapevine Art and Soul Salon, online literary and art journal that “muses on being and becoming human.” She makes her home in Atlanta. Her writing has been recognized locally (a first prize for a short story by Atlanta Writers Club), nationally (a first prize for a poem by New Millennium Writings and a third prize for a short story by Writers at Work, as well as a novel shortlisted by the James Jones First Novel Fellowship competition), and internationally (a poem shortlisted by Fish Publishing of Ireland). This is her third collection of poems and first book published by Finishing Line Press.
www.barbaraknott.net
Douglas Cole –
The floral arrangement of Barbara Knott’s beautiful new collection of poetry, In Every Carnation The Body of God, contains musical and philosophical meditations full of glorious clinkers such as “Boxwood,” a poem both elegy for grandmother “Della” and petal in the flower of theological exploration, with luminous language and visionary moments such as this:
In dreams
I dislodge her body
from roadside layers of stone
Knott’s poetry is rich in imagery and always centered on the exploration promised in its title. Like the romantic poets and writers such as Lorca, Jung, and Eliot, bouqueted in the preface, Knott takes up the search for the divine in the material world. As we see, for example, in “Fox Eyes”:
Each tree begins its own big life
a hundred times as big as the life of a human
inside a seed small as an acorn
Intertwining myth, religion, nature and true human lives, Knott leaves no stone unturned as she seeks for “The God Secret.” So, as you read these wonderful poems, find yourself entranced, like the witness in the poem “Under Closed Eyes”:
fill us with desire
and through the beloved
lead us to more abundant life!
Barbara Knott (verified owner) –
HURRAH for Barbara Knott’s stunning new book!
I am struck by Barbara Knott’s ability to write deeply meditative poems sparked off by simple natural effects from a bush or a flower as though drawing energy from the inner cosmic life of things to fill her poems. It reminds me of D. H. Lawrence very much: an “incarnate” vision with “intelligence of the heart.” Early memories join later ones, as in the poem called “The Body of God,” so that the attitudes and archetypal perspectives of speaker Barbara resonate with broader relevance. I read and am so involved in the poem’s effect on me that I neglect to say to myself, “OK, this is a Barbara Knott poem about HER.” I feel I’m in the presence of someone who’s found her authentic voice; it is that utter simplicity achieved after the most strenuous discipline. Everything compounded of art and nature—happily bedded down together. Sincere heart talk—no preciosity!!! I love her book and will continue savoring the poems as well as the book’s marvellous production values.
………… from Christopher Blake, editor of River of Cliffs, A Linville Gorge Reader (2005), and author of Images of America’s Linville Gorge Wilderness Area (2009).