Walt Whitman at The Morgan Library & Museum

Attention New Yorkers: through September 15, the Walt Whitman: Bard of Democracy exhibit will be running at The Morgan Library & Museum. Walt Whitman has been claimed as America's first "poet of democracy" and is one of the most influential writers of all time.

As a native New Yorker, Whitman's childhood home is available for tours and visits, and now you can also see his work (including a copy of Leaves of Grass) at the Morgan Library until next week.

To read more of his work, visit cosimo.com. 

"Many New Years" Poetry Collection for the Holidays by Vera Srbinović

Cosimo is proud to present this holiday season
Mnoge Nove Godine/Many NewYears, a beautiful New Year’s holiday collection of poems in English and Serbian (originally published by Dan Graf in Belgrade, Serbia.)

Ranging from the present back to 1998, award winning poet - and Cosimo author - Vera Srbinović showcases one poem for every year. The artwork in this hard cover book was created by the poet herself as colorful New Year’s cards symbolizing the events that took place that year. 

As this holiday season extends into next year for many Orthodox Christians, who will be celebrating Christmas on January 7 and New Year on January 14, Many New Years is the perfect holiday gift for poetry lovers, or those interested in European culture and history.
 
Vera Srbinović has received widespread praise for her work, including:

 

“Her poems are Pushkinesque, warm and tender.”

-  Politika (a leading Belgrade daily)

“Her poems seem to be sprinkled with gold-dust.”

- Snezana Lukić, in the Belgrade art magazine Bazar

 

But let her art speak for itself in the following poem from Many New Years:

 

 2014

As if the stars came down to Earth and Sea

Into this night on a black winged steed

They fly over cities, forests and fields

Celebrating the end of the year

Covered in pollen and snowflakes

In my eye covered with snow

Ancient nights repeat like a kaleidoscope

Light breeze strums the strings

Purple fires of Atlas

Covered in heavenly dust

                                          


Many New Years/Mnoge Nove Godine is in the U.S. only available from Amazon (or if bulk sales from Cosimo)

Cosimo’s Classic of the Month, written by one of the finest writers in the history of Spanish Language.

Saint John of the Cross was a major figure in the Catholic reformation of the 16^th century. He was a passionate writer and wrote many pieces including Spiritual Canticle, The Dark Night of the Soul, and Sayings of Love and Peace.

Cosimo’s classic of the month The Living Flame of Love contains not only the poem of the same name but selected letters, poems, and writings of the 16th-century mystic. Written soon after his escape from a nine-month stint in solitary confinement, The Living Flame of Love is Saint John’s ode to the soul’s ultimate union with God. It is presented here in its entirety along with a detailed explanation of each stanza.

With 365 spiritual maxims, instructions on achieving perfection, and precautions against Satan, The Living Flame of Love is a wonderful introduction to the works of a deeply pious man, but one of the finest writers in the history of the Spanish language.