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R. E. Smith first book took national honors, earning silver in the Benjamin Franklin book awards in 2007. His second book is equally moving and beautiful. Both honor the wonderful voice and passion of R. E. Smith and the craft of book making. They are wonderful additions to not only your library but the libraries of friends and family as thoughtful and cherished gifts.
This page is going to have lots of additions soon, including audio recordings of R. E. Smith reading, sample poems, sample pages, blurbs, and more. So come back often!
It began with A Sweeter Understanding
People need to connect—to their jobs, to their communities, and above all, to other people. As the culmination of forty-six years of writing poetry, R. E. Smith celebrates human connection in all its forms.
These poems are rich with humor and feeling, and reveal the voice of a poet who understands that he cannot complete his work alone. As Smith notes, “I’m not sure I’ve ever seen this method of communicating directly with the audience…A poem is never poetry until it is shared.” A Sweeter Understanding was inspired by one man’s thoughts and experiences, but the poems within are sketches, awaiting the reader’s reactions to bring them to colorful and meaningful life.
Beauty matures in The Window Ledge
Building on his success in A Sweeter Understanding, and continuing his growth as a person and a poet, R. E. Smith's second book of poetry is a delightful companion to A Sweeter Understanding or perfectly content to stand on its own.
The Window Ledge offers a broader variety of poetic styles and a more complete exploration of the human experience.