17 pages • 34 minutes read
In the Park
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Further Reading & Resources
Related Poems
“Nurture” by Maxine Kumin (1989)
The titular poem in Kumin’s collection, “Nurture” represents Kumin’s respect for the natural world and calls attention to the need to value and care for all species. Reading this poem will give one a clearer understanding of Kumin’s collection as a whole and how “In the Park” fits into the collection’s argument and purpose.
“Song” by Maxine Kumin (1962)
Part of Kumin’s earlier works, “Song” is a poem that clearly showcases Kumin’s pastoral roots. Referencing several elements of nature (horse hooves, wing beats) and rural farm life (rising bread, faraway train horns), this poem is a strong representation of Kumin’s use of the rural New Hampshire landscape in her poems to draw on deeper themes surrounding life and death.
“After Apple-Picking” by Robert Frost (1914)
Robert Frost, an iconic American poet of the 20th century, also wrote poems inspired by the landscapes of rural New England. Kumin’s poetry has often been compared to Frost’s because of this and the fact that they both share a keen, observant eye. “After Apple-Picking” explores the act of picking apples, but more largely explores topics such as the passing of time, lost youth, and the coming of the end of one’s life.
Further Literary Resources
“An Evening with Pulitzer Prize Winning Poet and Writer, Maxine Kumin” by UNCA Ramsey Library Video Production (2005)
With this event, in which Maxine Kumin reads many poems at the University of North Carolina Asheville, one will get a better understanding of where Kumin draws her inspiration from as a poet and why she chooses to write about certain topics. This long video offers a direct insight into Kumin’s creative inspiration and allows readers to hear the poems in Kumin’s own voice.
“Post Script: Maxine Kumin (1925-2014)” by Philip Schultz (2014)
This comprehensive article written for The New Yorker following Kumin’s death in 2014 explores Kumin’s poetic career and achievements. This article provides an insight into who Kumin was as both a person and a poet. It also highlights themes that she consistently wrote about—grief and loss—and highlights what she loved and found the most gratifying in life: animals and nature.
“The Progress of Poet Maxine Kumin” by Julia M. Klein (2015)
This tribute to Kumin in Forward, which also reviews her memoir The Pawnbroker’s Daughter, explores Kumin’s childhood, particularly her Jewish roots and upbringing. This article walks the reader through Kumin’s early life and shares how her poetic success came to be.
Listen to Poem
Listen to Kumin read her poem “Nurture” at the APSU Visiting Writers Series in 1996. This is the titular poem to the collection that “In the Park” is published in.
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