Review of "The Light the Dead See: Selected Poems" by Frank Stanford

How does one review a work of such magnitude and depth, written by a profoundly talented, yet deeply troubled poetic-prodigy of recent times? The Light the Dead See: Selected Poems by Frank Stanford is a work of staggering genius.

Published posthumously, Stanford's book of selected poems really showcases his range as an artist, as it collects poems he wrote throughout his brief lifetime. Most contemporary poets do not find their niche until late in life (i.e. John Ashbery, Mark Halladay, John Gallaher, etc.).

Stanford is an unorthodox exception.

He died from three, self-inflicted gunshot wounds just before his 30th birthday. But his natural mastery of poetry was never in question.

In The Light the Dead See, Stanford illustrates a bleak picture of life and portrays Death as a lingering friend and companion. When looking at his suicide, these poems seem to be an eerie foreshadowing of what was later to follow.

One of the poems that I feel best encompasses the recurring themes and motifs in his book is a poem the book is titled after "The Light the Dead See".

Throughout this poem, Death comes to life; he takes on this persona who provides a kind and gentle end to a troubled life.

A roar sucks them under

The wheels of a darkness without pain.

Off in the distance

There is someone

Like a signalman swinging a lantern.

This non-violent and caring portrayal of Death is unique, and remains consistent throughout the poems in his book. It is really a shame that Stanford took his life at such a young age; it would have been nice to continue reading the poems of such a masterful writer.

The light grows, a white flower.

It becomes very intense, like music.

They see the faces of those they loved,

The truly dead who speak kindly.

If you are so inclined, please check out one of Stanford's most famous books, The Battlefield Where the Moon says I Love You; a 500-page epic poem that is all over the place in terms of subject matter, but still remains one of his most tragic and beautiful books.