<div>&quot;A society without poetry and the other arts would have broken its mirror and cut out its heart.&quot;<br>-Margaret Atwood<br><br>So boldly insists one of our greatest writers in <i>Measures of Astonishment</i>, a refreshing and eclectic mix of both deeply personal and formal essays that offer a glimpse into the minds of some of Canada’s most influential poets. In addition to Margaret Atwood, the contributors to this volume include a virtual who’s who of the country’s literary elite: Anne Carson, George Elliot Clarke, Anne Simpson, Tim Lilburn, Marilyn Bowering, Mark Abley, Glen Sorestad, Robert Currie, and Don McKay.<br><br>These writers each forward their own perspectives on the art and craft of poetry reminding us, as Tim Lilburn states, that all poetry &quot;is the theatre of feeling,&quot; and, as Don McKay declares, that &quot;poetry--any poetry--is always political and subversive,&quot; because it turns the tool of language &quot;against itself.&quot; Following on this notion, Mark Abley argues that while all poets have their unique voice and vision, what binds them is that none are &quot;afraid to demonstrate the energy of language and the sterling power of the human imagination.&quot; The energy of language and the human imagination are recurrent motifs throughout this volume.<br><br><i>Measures of Astonishment</i> shines a northern light on poetry, offering unique perspectives as to what poetry is, what it does, and why it matters.</div>