In "The Hungry Ear," Kevin Young serves up a sumptuous feast of poetry, where food is not just sustenance but a rich source of memory, identity, and pleasure. This anthology gathers an exquisite menu of poems by some of the most revered voices in literature, including Elizabeth Alexander, Robert Frost, and Mary Oliver, among others. Each poem is a morsel that feeds the soul, celebrating the simple joys of eating while probing deeper into the rituals and traditions that bind us. Young, a distinguished poet himself, curates this collection with an impeccable taste, presenting food as the lens through which we explore life's vast flavors and complexities. Beyond the immediate delights of the blackberries, the butter, and the barbecue, "The Hungry Ear" delves into the everything else—the memories, the company, the politics—that accompany our meals. From the prayers whispered over bread to the songs of street vendors, Kevin Young captures the essence of food's elemental pleasures and its role in marking our days and seasons. This anthology is not just for the food lover but for anyone who savors the rich interplay between culture and cuisine, making it a rewarding journey through the landscapes of taste and tradition. Through Young's thoughtful selection, readers are invited to indulge in the universal experience of eating, an act that nourishes not just the body but the soul.