Best-Loved Poems of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, The

The volume is also a short course in poetry, as it spans the centuries and includes works by such renowned authors as Langston Hughes, William Shakespeare, Homer, W.B. Yeats, Emily Dickinson, e.e. cummings, and Robert Frost.

Onassis beloved poems reveal her in depth in a manner the newspapers could not, as a patriotic American, a loving bride, a thinker, a dreamer, an adventurer, a humorist, a poet, and perhaps most of all, a dedicated and loving mother.

Surely there is no better tribute to a mother than to have a loving child publish such a book.

Jackie will forever be remembered for her grace, style and charisma by those who recall her days in the sun. During her final days, she became almost a shadow-figure to the public, but in our hearts we will always remember her for the beautiful person she was, her infectious smile, her love for her children and the mark she left upon the world. She was a lady one might think "had it all in her lifetime" but as we all know, she paid a very heavy price. The poems in this book are an inside look at a woman whose inner-strength and beauty shone upon others in every corner of the world.

The book is divided into six sections: "America," "First Poems" (childrens poems), "Adventure," "Escape," "Romance and Love," and "In Her Own Words." Each section has a forward by Caroline Kennedy commenting on the selections. The collection is diverse and eclectic. Carolines observations, though fond and proud, are quietly made.

Ms. Onassis shows a great deal of adventurousness, a surprisingly passionate nature, a wonderful sense of fun and wit, and a streak of melancholy. Some of the poems will be familiar, like returning old friends; others will be a new gift. She was very fond of Yeats, Donne and Elizabeth Bishop; all of whom can be both giddy and profound. I have always thought Elizabeth Bishops "The Art of Losing" (entitled here as "One Art") was only a poem for the very tough of soul. The last verse:

--Even losing you (the joking voice, a gesture
I love) I shant have lied. Its evident
the art of losings not too hard to master
though it may look like (Write it!) a disaster.

Caroline Kennedy says the following Emily Dickinson excerpt "always reminded me of my mother,"

"Inebriate of air am I,
And debauchee of dew;---
Reeling through endless summer days,
From inns of molten blue."

What an evocation of elegance that is, and what a tribute from a daughter to a mother!

I received this book as a gift from my daughter. It is printed on a fine grade of paper and has a royal blue ribbon bookmark. I think it makes an excellent gift and is a nice addition to a collection of poetry.