Silverchest: Poems

About this book

"After / the afterlife theres an afterlife." In Silverchest his twelfth book Carl Phillips considers how our fears and excesses the damage we cause both to others and to ourselves intentional and not can lead not only to a kind of wisdom but also to renewal maybe even joy if were willing to commit fully to a life in which "I love you / means what exactly?" In poems shot through with his signature mix of eros restless energy and moral scrutiny Phillips argues for the particular courage it takes to look at the self squarelynot with judgment but with understandingand extend that self more honestly toward others. Its a risk theres a lot to lose but if its true that "well drown anywaywhy not / in color?"