Mary Ruefle's Selected Poems

Mary Ruefle’s Selected Poems, and Tom Berrigan’s The Sonnets differ from the get go. On the most basic level the difference can be seen in the titles. Mary Ruefle’s poems are selected and thus carefully crafted, yet still incredibly simple. Where Berrigan’s embraces ambiguity and complexity with the formula he uses to randomize his sonnets Ruefle embraces simplicity and concreteness. Another stark difference between the two collections of work is the format in which both poets write. Berrigan sticks strictly to the use of the sonnet while Ruefle experiments with different spacing, as well as punctuation, and repetition. Additionally, Ruefle gives each of her poems a unique title unlike Berrigan.

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