Carolyn Kizer

Carolyn Kizer is an award winning American poet. I have read a few of her poems, the two I have looked into the most are "A Child's Guide to Central Ohio" and "Afternon Happiness." In both of these poems she creates a new perspective on romaticized moments of life. "A Child's Guide to Central Ohio" reveals the trapped and suffocated feelings of a child. It uses strong imagery and diction to depict an angry child riling against its captors. She uses a formal diction and strong connotative language. In "Afternoon Happiness" she takes a jab at those who believe art must be about pain and suffering in order to be profound and meaningful. Kizer also looks at love and realizes that although in the present it is wonderfully happy, it will end in heartbreak. Her poems have strong imagery and connotative language. In both poems she is able to depict the feelings of the narrator beautifully and convey her ideas. She reveals unseen perspectives on different aspects of life. Carolyn Kizer's poetry is incredibly beautiful and amazing to behold.