Poetry and About Poetry

Blue Heron Review has accepted my poem “A Matter of Gravity” for future publication. http://blueheronreview.com/

Blue Heron Review has accepted my poem "A Matter of Gravity" for future publication. http://blueheronreview.com/

Crooked Run by Henry S. Taylor My rating: 4 of 5 stars Henry Taylor writes of his family and his own biography in close connection with the land and its geologic and human history. As some have noted, these poems certainly seem influenced by Frost and echo Wendell Berry. Sometimes the “blank verse” becomes a bit too prosy for me, but the emotion and subtle imagery is never prosaic. “He came here, had his life, and as his last strength goes, the little branch keeps washing over algae-laden stones.” How simply to tell the story of our mortality and of the near immortality of the flowing of the natural world around us. View all my reviews

Crooked Run by Henry S. Taylor My rating: 4 of 5 stars Henry Taylor writes of his family and his own biography in close connection with the land and its geologic and human history. As some have noted, these poems certainly seem influenced by Frost and echo Wendell Berry. Sometimes the "blank verse" becomes a bit too prosy for me, but the emotion and subtle imagery is never prosaic. "He came here, had his life, and as his last strength goes, the little branch keeps washing over algae-laden stones." How simply to tell the story of our mortality and of the near immortality of the flowing of the natural world around us. View all my reviews

Contemporary Poetry by Nerys Williams My rating: 4 of 5 stars Williams’ study of trends and movements in late 20th and early 21st century is the best out there right now. It is hampered by academese and critical jargon but is otherwise and thoughtful and informative look at poetry in English up through the first decade of the new century. View all my reviews

Contemporary Poetry by Nerys Williams My rating: 4 of 5 stars Williams' study of trends and movements in late 20th and early 21st century is the best out there right now. It is hampered by academese and critical jargon but is otherwise and thoughtful and informative look at poetry in English up through the first decade of the new century. View all my reviews

Amazon has my newest book on sale: “Memories in Clay, Dreams of Wolves” – $7.95 Paperback Also available on Kindle Also available: “Dark Land, White Light” Paperback Kindle

Amazon has my newest book on sale: "Memories in Clay, Dreams of Wolves" - $7.95 Paperback Also available on Kindle Also available: "Dark Land, White Light" Paperback Kindle

The Opposite House: Poems by Claudia Emerson My rating: 5 of 5 stars It is heartbreaking to read these poems—both because they are poignant, real, and heartfelt and because Claudia Emerson dies at far too young an age. My rating is of the poetry, and not in sympathy for her loss. Here, Emerson speaks for the voiceless, dramatic monologues and lyrics for such characters as a glass-eye maker, a man whose father was a suicide, an aged dying woman, and many others. Some of the poems feel more autobiographical, but all show Emerson able to exert the “negative capability” of silencing herself enough to give words to others. And what words they are, simple, eloquent, and true. View all my reviews

The Opposite House: Poems by Claudia Emerson My rating: 5 of 5 stars It is heartbreaking to read these poems---both because they are poignant, real, and heartfelt and because Claudia Emerson dies at far too young an age. My rating is of the poetry, and not in sympathy for her loss. Here, Emerson speaks for the voiceless, dramatic monologues and lyrics for such characters as a glass-eye maker, a man whose father was a suicide, an aged dying woman, and many others. Some of the poems feel more autobiographical, but all show Emerson able to exert the "negative capability" of silencing herself enough to give words to others. And what words they are, simple, eloquent, and true. View all my reviews

Summerset Review will publish another of my poems (Moonscaped: For Buzz Aldrin) Summer 2015. http://www.summersetreview.org/

Summerset Review will publish another of my poems (Moonscaped: For Buzz Aldrin) Summer 2015. http://www.summersetreview.org/

Summerset Review will publish another of my poems (Moonscaped: For Buzz Aldrin) Summer 2015. http://ow.ly/MEAZw #yam #dreamsofwolves

Pray No More by Patrick Bradley My rating: 5 of 5 stars This historical novel poignantly describes a family facing terrible losses before modern medicine reduced childhood diseases. The parents face spiritual crises along with challenges to their relationship as they face together and separately the slow destruction of their family. Patrick Bradley has done excellent research into his family’s history and the history of Michigan about 100 years ago, and his writing brings to life what seems like the distant past—but in reality is faced by countless poor families around the globe today. View all my reviews

Pray No More by Patrick Bradley My rating: 5 of 5 stars This historical novel poignantly describes a family facing terrible losses before modern medicine reduced childhood diseases. The parents face spiritual crises along with challenges to their relationship as they face together and separately the slow destruction of their family. Patrick Bradley has done excellent research into his family's history and the history of Michigan about 100 years ago, and his writing brings to life what seems like the distant past---but in reality is faced by countless poor families around the globe today. View all my reviews

Hymen by H.D. My rating: 2 of 5 stars I do like H.D., but not this collection. The writing is derivative of Keats and the Romantics at their gushingest. The classical references and dramatic monologues of mythical figures do nothing new. And every poet should be allowed only one “ah” and one “O” in their careers. H.D. uses up a century’s worth here. View all my reviews

Hymen by H.D. My rating: 2 of 5 stars I do like H.D., but not this collection. The writing is derivative of Keats and the Romantics at their gushingest. The classical references and dramatic monologues of mythical figures do nothing new. And every poet should be allowed only one "ah" and one "O" in their careers. H.D. uses up a century's worth here. View all my reviews

Buddhist Poetry Review will be publishing 3 of my poems in their May 2015 online edition. http://ow.ly/MsiAe   ‪#‎ yam‬   ‪#‎ dreamsofwolves‬

Buddhist Poetry Review will be publishing 3 of my poems in May 2015, http://ow.ly/MsiAe ‪#‎yam‬ ‪#‎dreamsofwolves‬

New and Selected Poems: Mary Oliver by Mary Oliver My rating: 5 of 5 stars “Sometimes the great bones of my life feel so heavy, and all the tricks my body knows— the opposable thumbs, the kneecaps, and the mind clicking and clicking— don’t seem enough to carry me through this world and I think: how I would like to have wings” So writes Mary Oliver in one of the first poems of this collection—and throughout she exposes her confrontation with mortality and her and our earthbound nature. Selected in reverse chronological order, the poems show the growth of the poet over three decades. He language is vivid and her poetic seeing often surprisingly exact: “the black snake jellies forward” “and the birds, in the endless waterfalls of the trees” She loves life, loves nature, with the passion of one who knows mortality in the flight of an owl’s hunger. Spend some time with this poet and the wonderful words she leaves behind for us to follow, like a trail through the forest. View all my revie

New and Selected Poems: Mary Oliver by Mary Oliver My rating: 5 of 5 stars "Sometimes the great bones of my life feel so heavy, and all the tricks my body knows— the opposable thumbs, the kneecaps, and the mind clicking and clicking— don’t seem enough to carry me through this world and I think: how I would like to have wings" So writes Mary Oliver in one of the first poems of this collection---and throughout she exposes her confrontation with mortality and her and our earthbound nature. Selected in reverse chronological order, the poems show the growth of the poet over three decades. He language is vivid and her poetic seeing often surprisingly exact: "the black snake jellies forward" "and the birds, in the endless waterfalls of the trees" She loves life, loves nature, with the passion of one who knows mortality in the flight of an owl's hunger. Spend some time with this poet and the wonderful words she leaves behind for us to follow, like a trail t