Fruits of the Earth

A unique anthology of poems from around the world and through the ages that celebrate fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, and spices, and their meaning in our lives

Ever since Eve plucked a tempting apple in the Garden of Eden, the fruits of the earth have been essential to human culture and the stories we tell about our world. Poets from ancient times to the present have celebrated the harvest of our gardens, fields, and orchards.

The delectable cornucopia of poems harvested in this volume includes many beloved old chestnuts, such as Robert Frost’s “After Apple-Picking,” Emily Dickinson’s “Forbidden fruit a flavor has,” Gwendolyn Brooks’s “The Bean Eaters,” and the famous chilled plums in William Carlos Williams’s “This Is Just to Say.” But there are many other delights to discover as well: Pablo Neruda’s “Ode to the Artichoke,” Seamus Heaney’s “Blackberry Picking,” Jane Hirshfield’s “Green-Striped Melons,” Eugenio Montale’s “The Lemons,” Charles Simic’s “Watermelons,” Paul Valéry’s “Pomegranates,” Nâzim Hikmet’s “The Cucumber,” Rita Dove’s “Parsley,” Sylvia Plath’s “Mushrooms,” and Michael Ondaatje’s “The Cinnamon Peeler.” Peaches, figs, asparagus, olives, onions, peppers, nuts, coffee, chocolate, saffron, and nutmeg—the range of subjects is sure to whet the appetites of poetry lovers everywhere.

Everyman's Library's Pocket Poets are pocket-sized hardcovers that feature acid-free cream-colored paper bound in a full-cloth case with two-color foil stamping, decorative endpapers, a silk ribbon marker, a European-style half-round spine, and a full-color illustrated jacket.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs