On Poets and Poetry

33 reflections-essays by Dmitry Bykov on the poetic path, creative style of outstanding Russian poets, and not only, – from Alexander Pushkin to BG – are presented in this book. And however paradoxical and provocative some of the discoveries in the articles, lectures of Dmitry Bykov may sound, in his lively thought, brilliant and unusual, there is always a healthy grain that illuminates non-obvious parallels and subtexts, mutual influences and resonances, insights about the biographies, fates of Russian poets, which, upon reflection, become evident and credible, and will inevitably be acknowledged by you, dear readers, if you only immerse yourself in it.