U.S Copper Canyon Press Libri

Poetry is vital to language and living. This anthology celebrates 50 years of Copper Canyon Press publications, one extraordinary poem at a time. Since its founding in 1972, Copper Canyon has been entirely dedicated to publishing poetry books; here Editor in Chief Michael Wiegers invites press staff and board—past and present—to help curate a retrospective. The result is a collection of beloved poems from books spanning half a century: representing Pulitzer Prize-winning books, debut collections, works in translation, and rare books from Copper Canyon’s early days. This book is a tribute to Copper Canyon poets and readers everywhere, because, as Gregory Orr writes, “Certain poems / In an uncertain world— / The ones we cling to: // They bring us back.”

"It's a hard time to be human. We know too much and too little." Ellen Bass In this time of pandemic and worldwide uprising, poetry remains abundant and available, whether for balm, fuel, or a sense of connection. The poems in The World Has Need of You were originally selected by staff members and interns at Copper Canyon Press in response to this unprecedented moment. Curated from our in-house catalogue of extraordinary books spanning half a century, we trust the words herein will resonate with readers for decades to come. We offer this collection with deep thanks to our community: Your support and collaboration ensures that poetry will continue to flourish, bring comfort, and ignite change. As Alberto Ríos writes in his introduction, "We are here and the moment is ours to meet. Our actions, in a very real way, will be the pathway to whatever future awaits us. The world simply will not be the same as it was. What will be changed is up to us."