Both men and women should
read POEMS THAT MAKE GROWN MEN CRY: 100 MEN ON THE WORDS THAT MOVE THEM. This
anthology in which poems have been chosen by one hundred men with backgrounds
in the arts and literature gives the reader a diverse selection of poetry. Poetry
lovers can read the book cover to cover. Readers with a more casual interest can search
out the verses they might find particularly appealing. Stars of stage and
screen as well as writers, editors and college professors are among the men who
have selected poetry for this volume. English and American poets are well
represented but Indian, Japanese and Spanish poems have also been chosen.
Although this poetry can make grown men cry, it is not only about the death of
loved ones. Some poems are about looking for work, the inevitability of war,
political oppression, the love of imperfect parents or children, unrequited
love and separation. The beauty of nature and other happy events can bring
people to tears as well. Some of the more well-known men who selected poems for
this book are Salman Rushdie, Hugh Bonneville, Ken Follett, Daniel Radcliffe,
and Sir Patrick Stewart of “Star Trek” and “X Men” fame. Some poems are pages
long and some only a verse or two. Gifted poets can express honest emotion in
any number of words or lines. Perhaps the most poignant work in this book is
the shortest, written in 18th century Japan by a woman whose son had
died:
“Dragonfly catcher,
Where today
Have you gone?”
