You Must Change Your Life

A critical encounter with Heidegger’s approach to poetry written through an extended reading of the work of former U.S. Poet Laureate and Macurthur Prize winner, Charles Simic. Building from Rilke’s proposal that art can change our lives, I argue that when approached from a certain angle, poetry can provide experiences of the very bases of sense and so of ourselves.

“Lysaker's sensitive and exciting readings of Simic and others deepen both our appreciation of Heidegger and poetry.” Jason Wirth

“An engaging exploration of the power of poetry, this book offers something new and refreshing: drawing thoughtfully on Heidegger’s approach to poetic language, Lysaker brings it into dialogue with the striking work of Charles Simic.” Richard Polt