The Essential Poems

"Just as the world wearies and worries us with its pervasive God awfulness, along comes the rebirth of faith in humanity that is Micheal O'Siadhail's utterly, utterly wonderful collection, The Essential Poems. My heavy heart lifts, and to quote the poet himself, 'explodes in an endless thank-you', for here is proof of an indomitable essence that will not submit to the inevitability of self-inflicted misery but will insist like Dante that we will see the stars again. O'Siadhail is the Dante of our day."-Mary McAleese, President of Ireland, 1997-2011

"In one of the poems in this book, Micheal O'Siadhail speaks of a 'fathoming of wonder', and this phrase aptly describes his poetic imperative. These poems are intellectually curious; emotionally resonant; linguistically rich and beautifully formed. They explore the macrocosm and microcosm of human experience and repay multiple readings. This book is a very real treasure."-Eugene O'Brien, Mary Immaculate College

"A deeply humane poet, Micheal O'Siadhail hits a new high in this wonderfully harmonious collection-a truly enjoyable and sensorial experience for all of us to share in these troubled times." -Jerry White, humanitarian activist, author, and diplomat