The Chanter’s Reed

Praise for James Ragan’s Poetry:

James Ragan’s poems spare no passion in believing they sing.
Seamus Heaney, Nobel Prize Winner

Ragan dominates the art of image, the art of poetic line, and the art of poetic narration with insight that marks major poets.
Miroslav Holub, Nobel Prize Nominee

James Ragan’s poems are satisfying and distinctive, full of arresting collocations and striking phrases.
Richard Wilbur, U.S. Poet Laureate

I admire James Ragan’s sense of history and, within that, his instinct to praise.
Jean Valentine, National Book Award Winner

Fine-grained and witty, a remarkable range of history, thematic variety, and tonal dexterity.
C.K. Williams, Pulitzer Prize Winner

James Ragan is a snake charmer whose words work real magic.
Henry Taylor, Pulitzer Prize Winner

In Jim Ragan’s poetry, there is a lyrical wisdom. It is this juxtaposition that makes his work so exhilarating.
Studs Terkel, Pulitzer Prize Winner