James Wright's first published collection of poems, The Green Wall (1957), and his second, Saint Judas (1959), make for interesting comparison to his third book, The Branch Will Not Break (1963), which includes "Autumn Begins in Martins Ferry, Ohio." After reading the first two and then the third, one can easily see his change in style and understand what sent many poetry critics to their opposing corners.

To a Blossoming Pear Tree (1977) was Wright's last collection published before his death. The poems in it represent yet another departure from style, in the form of prose poems. Many of these brief "paragraphs" of descriptions were inspired by Wright's visits to Europe, particularly Italy, and their images portray his love of the countryside there, as well as its people. Never far from home in thought, though, the poet also included in this collection several poems...