Poetry and About Poetry

Gravel has released its Winter issue which includes two of my poems.

Gravel has released its Winter issue which includes two of my poems.

The Muse-an International Journal of Poetr y with publish my poem "A Mist path" in their next issue.

The Muse-an International Journal of Poetr y with publish my poem “A Mist Path” in their next issue.

The Abridged History of Rainfall by Jay Hopler My rating: 4 of 5 stars Jay Hopler’s “The Abridged History of Rainfall” is a collection of good poetry: many fine lines and phrases, imagery that is true and right. Many of the poems have a clear voice that is one we want to listen to. Others play with archaic voices or the stylized voice of Wallace Stevens. Sometimes the poet seems to undermine his own poetic eloquence: “A squadron of dragonflies is darning the darkening/yard” is a fine line, but the poet then says: “Correction: a squadron of dragonflies is darning the air above the darkening/Yard” —- not as strong an image or conceit. Given that these are poems mourning the loss of his father, some seem a bit precious and others a bit cold. Hopler is at his most eloquent in simplicity, as in lEpitaph”: I cannot tell you How many years I have done This. Last year when I did this, My father was alive.l Still and all, I recommend the collection. It is honest more than eff

The Abridged History of Rainfall by Jay Hopler My rating: 4 of 5 stars Jay Hopler’s “The Abridged History of Rainfall” is a collection of good poetry: many fine lines and phrases, imagery that is true and right. Many of the poems have a clear voice that is one we want to listen to. Others play with archaic voices or the stylized voice of Wallace Stevens. Sometimes the poet seems to undermine his own poetic eloquence: “A squadron of dragonflies is darning the darkening/yard” is a fine line, but the poet then says: “Correction: a squadron of dragonflies is darning the air above the darkening/Yard” —- not as strong an image or conceit. Given that these are poems mourning the loss of his father, some seem a bit precious and others a bit cold. Hopler is at his most eloquent in simplicity, as in lEpitaph”: I cannot tell you How many years I have done This. Last year when I did this, My father was alive.l Still and all, I recommend the collection. It is honest more than effete, precise more

Aji Magazine will publish my poem “Anchises” in their spring 2018 issue.

The Piedmont Virginian magazine will publish 3 of my poems in their next issue. My thanks to Editor Pam Kamphuis for supporting local artists and writers.

The Deadly Writers Patrol will publish 3 of my poems on war and healing.

Temenos will publish my poems “Rite” and “Diogenes in the Rain” in upcoming online and print edition

My poem “ Eloquence ” has been published online by the Summerset Review. This is the fourth poem of mine they have published.

My poem “The Exile is His Diary” is now live online at The Sea Letter. Thank you Leo Gonzalez, Editor.

Thank you  Heron Tree  for accepting another of my poems for future publication.  They have published 3 of mine previously.

Thank you Gravel: A Literary Journal  for accepting 2 of my poems to be published in their January 2018 issue. They have previously published one of my poems

The Deadly Writers Patrol  will publish 3 of my poems on war and healing.

The Deadly Writers Patrol will publish 3 of my poems on war and healing.

Temenos will publish my poems "Rite" and "Diogenes in the Rain" in upcoming online and print edition

My poem " Eloquence " has been published online by the Summerset Review. This is the fourth poem of mine they have published.

Two of my poems will be published in issue 3 of GFT Press's journal, One in Four , at the invitation of and selection by Editor-in-Chief, Jack Daniel Miles. "Blood Cries the Earth" and "Squatting in Sunlight" will appear as a staff contribution.

My poem " The Exile is His Diary " is now live online at  The Sea Letter . Thank you Leo Gonzalez, Editor.

Roaring Books: The Must-Read Literature of the 1920s

"The most regretful people on earth are those who felt the call to creative work, who felt their own creative power restive and uprising, and gave to it neither power nor time.” Poet Mary Oliver

Thank you Gravel: A Literary Journal  for accepting 2 of my poems to be published in their January 2018 issue. They have previously published one of my poems

Thank you  Heron Tree  for accepting another of my poems for future publication.  They have published 3 of mine previously.

Temenos will publish my poems “Rite” and “Diogenes in the Rain” in upcoming online and print editions.

My poem “ Eloquence ” has been published online by the Summerset Review. This is the fourth poem of mine they have published.

Two of my poems will be published in issue 3 of GFT Press’s journal, One in Four , at the invitation of and selection by Editor-in-Chief, Jack Daniel Miles. “Blood Cries the Earth” and “Squatting in Sunlight” will appear as a staff contribution.

My poem “ The Exile is His Diary ” is now live online at  The Sea Letter . Thank you Leo Gonzalez, Editor.

Roaring Books: The Must-Read Literature of the 1920s

“The most regretful people on earth are those who felt the call to creative work, who felt their own creative power restive and uprising, and gave to it neither power nor time.” Poet Mary Oliver

Thank you Gravel: A Literary Journal  for accepting 2 of my poems to be published in their January 2018 issue. They have previously published one of my poems.

Thank you  Heron Tree  for accepting another of my poems for future publication.  They have published 3 of mine previously.

Housefire Elegies by Keith Montesano My rating: 3 of 5 stars “…[W]e’ll never owe a thing to this nightlong world,” writes Keith Montesano, which might serve as the epitaph for this book as well as life. I did not want to like “Housefire Elegies.” The unrelenting horror of violent death. The nearly random juxtaposition and blending of mixed analogies and metaphors. But perhaps that was Montesano’s point–if there is nothing but violent meaninglessness, then the language should reflect it? For “God has nothing to do do with how tight you hold on” when the tsunami comes your way, or the plane crashes, or the criminal attacks, or the housefire burns. And you are lucky, perhaps you will “live out your days among us all, and escape before you ever know the meaning.” This is not an enjoyable read–and it is not intended as such. There are good poems, sometimes clubbed to death by overweening focus on the violence–almost a pornography of violence. And the juxtaposition I mentioned sometimes tak

Housefire Elegies by Keith Montesano My rating: 3 of 5 stars "...[W]e'll never owe a thing to this nightlong world," writes Keith Montesano, which might serve as the epitaph for this book as well as life. I did not want to like "Housefire Elegies." The unrelenting horror of violent death. The nearly random juxtaposition and blending of mixed analogies and metaphors. But perhaps that was Montesano's point--if there is nothing but violent meaninglessness, then the language should reflect it? For "God has nothing to do do with how tight you hold on" when the tsunami comes your way, or the plane crashes, or the criminal attacks, or the housefire burns. And you are lucky, perhaps you will "live out your days among us all, and escape before you ever know the meaning." This is not an enjoyable read--and it is not intended as such. There are good poems, sometimes clubbed to death by overweening focus on the violence--almost a pornography of

Sixty Days and Counting by Kim Stanley Robinson My rating: 3 of 5 stars I wanted to like this concluding volume of Robinson’s trilogy more than I did–in fact, parts were very good. What holds me back and reduces my rating is primarily the naive politics, often expressed in unbelievable blog “chats” by the President of the US. The conspiracy suspense story is fun and exciting. The “domestic” drama of a father trying to do right by his young sons also good. The science in the science fiction is plausible and the effects of global climate change all-too likely. Then there is the unlikely resolution to all-things China that spoils much of the end of the book. I do like the weaving of Buddhism, science, and real politik. And the characters are complex and interesting. View all my reviews

The Sea Letter will publish my poem “The Exile Is His Diary” online and in in an upcoming print issue.

The Sea Letter  will publish my poem “The Exile Is His Diary” online and in in an upcoming print issue.

The Sea Letter  will publish my poem "The Exile Is His Diary" online and in in an upcoming print issue.

Leonardo da Vinci by Walter Isaacson My rating: 5 of 5 stars A biography itten through the lens of Leonardo’s jounals, this work by Isaacson is a comprehensive journey through the comprehensive but incomprehensible mind of a genius. Organizing by topic as much as chronology, Isaacson helps us see how Leonardo sought to understand all things and reveal the intersections and connections within. View all my reviews

http://www.ajimagazine.com/uploads/2/2/2/8/22289112/ajimagazineissue7.pdf

Tell me what you think of the new look for my website in the comments box:  http://www.davidanthonysam.com/

The Voices Project has published my poem “ War of Headlines ” on its website.

The Voices Project has published my poem " War of Headlines " on its website.

The Voices Project has published my poem “ War of Headlines ” on its website.

Please Like and Follow my Facebook Poetry Page

We Deserve the Gods We Ask For by Seth Brady Tucker My rating: 3 of 5 stars Seth Brady Tucker’s collection seems earnest. But for me the conceit of superheroes mixed with real or imagined characters doing dramatic monologues did not work well enough. Perhaps a bit more editing–and I don’t mean the occasional typos–would have strengthened what is a noteworthy effort at describing PTSD and the soldier’s experience, as well as giving voice to other speakers. The diction sometimes stretches too far and is in danger of trivializing heartfelt emotion. Nonetheless, “We Deserve” is worth reading at least once. View all my reviews

We Deserve the Gods We Ask For by Seth Brady Tucker My rating: 3 of 5 stars Seth Brady Tucker's collection seems earnest. But for me the conceit of superheroes mixed with real or imagined characters doing dramatic monologues did not work well enough. Perhaps a bit more editing--and I don't mean the occasional typos--would have strengthened what is a noteworthy effort at describing PTSD and the soldier's experience, as well as giving voice to other speakers. The diction sometimes stretches too far and is in danger of trivializing heartfelt emotion. Nonetheless, "We Deserve" is worth reading at least once. View all my reviews

Slideshow of some of my poetry readings on YouTube

My collection “ Memories in Clay ” is now available for the Nook. 

My collection " Memories in Clay " is now available for the Nook. 

Summerset Review will publish my poem “Eloquence.” This is the 4th they have accepted. Thank you editors.

4 of my poems included in Vine Leaves Literary Journal: A Collection of Vignettes from Across the Globe – Vine Leaves Press. Order your copy.

November's issue of GFT is now available.

November’s issue of GFT is now available.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R1M0ASH2WQDY8Y/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=1496078837

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2169505167?book_show_action=true&from_review_page =1

Congrats to Kristin LaFollette 2017 GFT Press Chapbook Contest winner

Five of my poems are included in the current issue of The Mystic Blue Review

Mourning the loss of a great poet. Richard Wilbur wrote fine poetry and yet was often underestimated because it hearkened to traditional forms in a time of radical experimentation and self-exposure. http://wapo.st/2gIc8EW

My poem “Pilgrim” is included in issue #30 of Poetry Quarterly available in print or electronic subscription here:   https://poetryquarterly.com/

The Vietnam War: An Intimate History by Geoffrey C. Ward My rating: 5 of 5 stars A tough read—there were atrocities and heroes, sages and fools on all sides. If you have done any significant reading/research, you will not learn anything dramatically new here–but the stories and then overall perspective from this distance all make this a worthy read. For those to whom this is all new, a must read. We are who we are today in the US and in Vietnam because of this war–for better or ill. View all my reviews

The Vietnam War: An Intimate History by Geoffrey C. Ward My rating: 5 of 5 stars A tough read---there were atrocities and heroes, sages and fools on all sides. If you have done any significant reading/research, you will not learn anything dramatically new here--but the stories and then overall perspective from this distance all make this a worthy read. For those to whom this is all new, a must read. We are who we are today in the US and in Vietnam because of this war--for better or ill. View all my reviews

Thank you Orange County Public Library for keeping my poetry in circulation http://ow.ly/ktRX30fIWKq

Poetry is the journal of a sea animal living on land, wanting to fly in the air. ― Carl Sandburg

Thank you Library of Virginia for carrying my poetry collection

Poetry Quarterly will publish my poem “Pilgrim” in an upcoming issue. 

Poetry Quarterly will publish my poem "Pilgrim" in an upcoming issue. 

Mystic Blue Review will publish 5 of my poems in its next issue.

Mystic Blue Review will publish 5 of my poems in its next issue.

“There is no crime, absolutely none, that cannot be condoned when ‘our’ side commits it.” ―George Orwell

“There is no crime, absolutely none, that cannot be condoned when 'our' side commits it.” ―George Orwell

My poem “ The Exile Before His Desk ” is in Issue #5 of Dual Coast Magazine

My poem " The Exile Before His Desk " is in Issue #5 of Dual Coast Magazine

Thank you Central Rappahannock Regional Library for keeping my books in circulation

Thank you Culpeper County Library for making my poetry collections available in book and ebook formats

The 5th anniversary issue of The Wayfarer includes my work. 

The 5th anniversary issue of The Wayfarer includes my work. 

Why Time Flies: A Mostly Scientific Investigation by Alan Burdick My rating: 5 of 5 stars Alan Burdick manages to take us on a journey of time, through time, and around time. He brings to this exploration philosophy, neuroscience, psychology, and personal memoir. View all my reviews

Why Time Flies: A Mostly Scientific Investigation by Alan Burdick My rating: 5 of 5 stars Alan Burdick manages to take us on a journey of time, through time, and around time. He brings to this exploration philosophy, neuroscience, psychology, and personal memoir. View all my reviews

Welcome to the Universe: An Astrophysical Tour by Neil deGrasse Tyson My rating: 5 of 5 stars Given that I am a layperson and my calculus is far behind me, I still believe that I was conceptually able to grasp at least a quarter of the matter in the book, the rest remaining “dark matter” for me, existent, imaginable but not yet graspable. The authors do a great job of explication, but this still means that thus is a challenging book. I do feel that my understanding of the process behind E=mc2 for instance rose to a higher level as a result of spending quality time with these 3 intelligent and witty men. View all my reviews

My reading of my poem “ September ” is included within Two Cities Review’s Podcast Episode 40. You can read it online  here . Thank you to the editors,  Blair Hurley and Olivia Tandon, for highlighting and discussing my poem.

Four of my poems will be included in the last issue of Vine Leaves Literary Journal (Australia). Copies can be order from Amazon, Barnes& Noble and other sources. Check back HERE soon to order you copy.

Four of my poems will be included in the last issue of Vine Leaves Literary Journal (Australia). Copies can be order from Amazon, Barnes& Noble and other sources. Check back HERE soon to order you copy.

Three Line Poetry has published another of my poems. Read it here .

Three Line Poetry has published another of my poems. Read it here .

He was profoundly influential and profoundly challenging.  https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/john-ashbery

Poetry is the journal of a sea animal living on land, wanting to fly in the air. ― Carl Sandburg

Issue #7 of  Smoky Blue Literary and Arts Magazine contains 2 of my poems

Issue #7 of  Smoky Blue Literary and Arts Magazine contains 2 of my poems

Glass has published my poem “ Anticipating Blindness “

Glass has published my poem " Anticipating Blindness "

Two Cities has published my poem “ September ” in its new issue #15 

Two Cities has published my poem " September " in its new issue #15 

My poem " Grammar Lesson " is online at Allegro Poetry Magazine.

My poem “ Grammar Lesson ” is online at Allegro Poetry Magazine.

Poll: GOP voters say news media poses greater threat to US than white supremacists

Winter's Journey by Stephen Dobyns My rating: 2 of 5 stars If poetry is the careful distillation of language to an essence,, then these stream-of-consciousness prosy essays are not really poetry. There is no doubt Stephen Dobyn's can write---given his past poetry collections and the concluding poem in Winter's Journey. But I cannot recommend this collection, given that it feels lax and self indulgent. There are moments: phrases and sentences that ring true or have fine wit about them. Let's just let it go at this: Disappointing. View all my reviews

Poems by T. S. Eliot by T.S. Eliot My rating: 3 of 5 stars Eliot’s second collection shows a “sophomore slump.” Weaker than Prufrock, most of these poems strain to display erudition. View all my reviews

Poems by T. S. Eliot by T.S. Eliot My rating: 3 of 5 stars Eliot's second collection shows a "sophomore slump." Weaker than Prufrock, most of these poems strain to display erudition. View all my reviews

Prufrock and Other Observations by T.S. Eliot My rating: 5 of 5 stars This collection stands the test of time 100 years later One hundred years after they appeared, these poems still resonate both in their diction and stance of social criticism. I return again and again to reread Eliot View all my reviews

Prufrock and Other Observations by T.S. Eliot My rating: 5 of 5 stars This collection stands the test of time 100 years later One hundred years after they appeared, these poems still resonate both in their diction and stance of social criticism. I return again and again to reread Eliot View all my reviews

Perspective | Mindfulness would be good for you. If it weren’t so selfish.

“So many problems occur when people fail to be obedient when they are supposed to be obedient, and fail to be creative when they are supposed to be creative.” Amos Tversky

Pleased to be serving as a Poetry Editor for GFT Press .   From Editor/publisher Jack Daniel Miles: “We just wanted to take a moment to welcome 2016 GFT Press Chapbook Contest winner David Anthony Sam to the GFT team. David will be acting as poetry editor for us, which is a role we hope to expand with one or two more folks in the near future. We’re big fans of David’s work and happy to have him helping out!

Pleased to be serving as a Poetry Editor for GFT Press .   From Editor/publisher Jack Daniel Miles: "We just wanted to take a moment to welcome 2016 GFT Press Chapbook Contest winner David Anthony Sam to the GFT team. David will be acting as poetry editor for us, which is a role we hope to expand with one or two more folks in the near future. We're big fans of David's work and happy to have him helping out!

Four of my poems have been accepted for publication on The Raven’s Perch :  “ The Sleeper “ “ The Commencement Address “ “ Three Memos of a Sad Man “ “ Banishment Before Water “