How lovely the ruins

by Elizabeth Alexander

"In times of personal hardship or collective anxiety, words have the power to provide comfort, meaning, and hope. The past year has seen a resurgence of poetry and inspiring quotes-- posted on social media, appearing on bestseller lists, shared from friend to friend. Honoring this communal spirit, [this book] is a timeless collection of both classic and contemporary poetry and short prose that can be of help in difficult times-- selections that offer wisdom and purpose, and that allow us to step out of our current moment to gain a new perspective on the world around us as well as the world...