On Perusing a Century of Poetry in The New Yorker, 1925–2025, edited by Kevin Young*
- amolosh
- Oct 30, 2025
- 1 min read
Updated: Oct 30, 2025
These worthy poems are all editors’ selections
From thousands come across the transom.
To tell the truth the composite effect is rather glum.
What a relief to find that Ogden Nash made it in!
But how could they omit the mighty lines of Samuel Hoffenstein,
Who illuminated my childhood in the Great Karoo?
They might at least have included one.
In truth I'd rather have a century of poems
The sainted editors considered but rejected.
You bet your doggone life they'd be much more fun!
*New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2025
Halloween 2025
The idea of reading the collective humanity expressed in a century of rejected poems, that might be at the breaking edge of the mold, is quite a wonderful thought!