The Oldest Hands in the World

“‘I make a dish out of nothing’ could be a poetic creed as well as a line from a Daniele Pantano poem, for he is an expert in molding the shapelessness of experience into a variety of crafted forms. A romantic with a sharp intelligence, Pantano gives us poems where heart and mind move together as on a verbal bicycle built for two.”

-Billy Collins

Fierce, uncompromising, and completely authentic, The Oldest Hands in the World is a remarkable debut collection. Scratch that–The Oldest Hands in the World is a remarkable collection, period.”

-Jay Hopler

The poems of Swiss-born Daniele Pantano are shadowed by travel and exile, rich with history, music, and a love of language. Sensuous, dramatic and intelligent, The Oldest Hands in the World is a stirring introduction to a strong and talented young poet.”

-Peter Mienke

Who is brave enough to attempt the world? Daniele Pantano succeeds in this new book, evoking the world of cathedrals, arches, nights that cascade into history. It is a welcome world he illuminates. He gives us our own names back to us, familiar and unfamiliar, but ours in the newness of old possession. The Oldest Hands in the World caress us warmly, and make us thankful for the embrace. Read this world like your life.”

-Nicholas Samaras