In Their Own Words

Kenneth Rexroth's relationships with women were equal parts passion and turmoil. He was married four times. In addition, both during and between marriages he indulged in numerous affairs. Interestingly his love poetry stands in stark contrast to the rather painful bent of his personal romantic life. Sacramental Acts culls the best of Rexroth's love poetry from his entire career. The result is an ode to a romantic ideal. Given the accessible style of Rexroth's love poetry, this title (now in paperback) makes a wonderful library addition for even the most casual poetry fan. On a more scholarly plane, Rexroth viewed human awareness and interaction as threefold concentric circles. At the center was the individual. The next ring was the "beloved". Outermost was society, et al. Sacramental Acts is the heart and voice of the second ring.