Sam Hamill Livres

Focusing on the art of poetry, this collection showcases Sam Hamill's insightful prose over 18 years, offering readings of notable poets such as Kenneth Rexroth and Denise Levertov. It includes critical commentary on poetry in translation and the broader practice of poetry, highlighting Hamill's deep engagement with the craft and its practitioners. Through his reflections, readers gain a richer understanding of both specific works and the poetic landscape as a whole.

An autobiographical blend of prose and haiku from one of Japan's greatest poets. Kobayashi Issa (1763–1827), along with Bashō and Buson, is considered one of the three greatest haiku poets of Japan, known for his attention to poignant detail and playful sense of humor. Issa’s most beloved work, The Spring of My Life, is an autobiographical sketch of linked prose and haiku in the tradition of Bashō’s celebrated Narrow Road to the Interior. This edition also includes more than 160 of Issa’s most revered haiku and an introduction that provides essential background on Issa’s life as well as valuable information on translating (and reading) haiku. This book is part of the Shambhala Pocket Library series. The Shambhala Pocket Library is a collection of short, portable teachings from notable figures across religious traditions and classic texts. The covers in this series are rendered by Colorado artist Robert Spellman. The books in this collection distill the wisdom and heart of the work Shambhala Publications has published over 50 years into a compact format that is collectible, reader-friendly, and applicable to everyday life.

The collection features poems that express humility and gratitude, reflecting the author's deep appreciation for life. Influenced by Chinese and Japanese literary traditions, Sam Hamill's work transcends mere words, inviting readers to explore a deeper understanding of desire and existence. The poems aim to connect with a world beyond language, offering a profound meditation on thankfulness and the human experience.

     The Chuang Tzu has been translated into English numerous times, but never with the freshness, accessibility, and accuracy of this remarkable rendering. Here the immediacy of Chuang Tzu's language is restored in a idiom that is both completely fresh and true to the original text. This unique collaboration between one of America's premier poet-translators and a leading Chinese scholar presents the so-called "Inner Chapters" of the text, along with important selections from other chapters thought to have been written by Chuang Tzu's disciples.

A Zen poem is nothing other than an expression of the enlightened mind, a handful of simple words that disappear beneath the moment of insight to which it bears witness. Poetry has been an essential aid to Zen Buddhist practice from the dawn of Zen—and Zen has also had a profound influence on the secular poetry of the countries in which it has flourished. Here, two of America’s most renowned poets and translators provide an overview of Zen poetry from China and Japan in all its rich variety, from the earliest days to the twentieth century. Included are works by Lao Tzu, Han Shan, Li Po, Dogen Kigen, Saigyo, Basho, Chiao Jan, Yuan Mei, Ryokan, and many others. Hamill and Seaton provide illuminating introductions to the Chinese and Japanese sections that set the poets and their work in historical and philosophical context. Short biographies of the poets are also included.

Exploring a blend of philosophical and lyrical elements, this collection showcases Sam Hamill's poetic range, featuring both praise and elegies for fellow poets. The poems are influenced by Zen classics and reflect on themes of love, aging, and the struggles of life, as seen in "To Gray on Our Anniversary," which captures enduring affection amidst life's challenges. Hamill, a prolific poet and translator, has contributed significantly to literature through his original works and translations, while also advocating for peace through his role in Poets Against War.

The Tao Te Ching is a profound blend of poetry and paradox that has captivated readers for over two millennia. Its complex Chinese characters present unique challenges for translation, often leading to interpretations that either stray too far from the original meaning or become overly annotated. This masterpiece invites readers to explore its rich layers of meaning, maintaining the clarity and depth of Lao Tzu's terse poetry while navigating the intricacies of language.

Featuring a selection of poetry from over forty years, this collection showcases the work of esteemed northwest poet Sam Hamill. It includes pieces from fifteen volumes, ranging from concise haiku to expansive narratives, highlighting his distinctive lyrical voice within American poetry. Renowned figures like Jim Harrison and Hayden Carruth commend Hamill's contributions, emphasizing his status as an essential literary figure.

A collection of classical Japanese haiku selected and translated by one of America's premier poet-translators. Haiku is one of the most popular and widely recognized poetic forms in the world due to its brevity, emotion, and astounding ability to capture the unique experience of a single moment. This collection, beautifully translated by Sam Hamill, compiles over two hundred haiku from classic Japanese literature written by masters of the genre like Bashō, Buson, and Issa. Based on images from nature, these poems express themes of joy, temporality, beauty, wonder, loneliness, and loss, inviting the reader to participate in the authentic experiences of these poets.