Waiting for the Small Ship of Desire

This latest collection of Cooper’s poetry includes some of his most personal poems, including revelations to him after the death of his mother and sharply etched emotional memories of childhood and grandparents. It includes other verse as well inspired by Robert Bly, John Keats, and the Urdu poet Ghalib, among others.

Readers return to Allan Cooper’s poems to be reminded of the quiet power of nature and how it can shape our lives and provide sustenance, vision, and even salvation when necessary. Here are poems to be read slowly and cherished.