My copy is signed. Thank you Harold. This collections is the 1993 Lamont Poetry Selection of the Academy of American Poets. As we enter Fall "It is / September. Pansy / freaked with jet be / damned: it takes this radiant bitterness to stand, / to take the throb of sky" (3). I would like to call this poetry tender. And yes, it is that, but it is also soul vibrating. Seeing a frozen child in National Geographic and bringing life from tragedy with the viewpoint of love is refreshing and yes, tender. https://www.amazon.com/Stained-Glass-Rosanna-Warren/dp/0393311740/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=stained+glass+rosanna+warren&qid=1598888740&sr=8-1

I did not know the name of my benefactor of 800-900+ books. I know that they are inscribed to Harold M... (he wanted to be anonymous, so I'll respect his wishes). But he will never know what treasure he has given me and what added purpose. To think, that my books (those I own) and those I write--will be passed on to some new/upcoming poet is amazing. A legacy of words and books on kindle...but so will his. His books will be added to mine. I really want (have ALWAYS wanted) to start a small library of poetry--only poetry. Halls of verse. And to think, I've got my thousands of books and his almost 1,000. Then, let us dance in starlight and listen and read and sing those treasured stanzas.

Because this is a collection, James Wright's path is portrayed closely chronologically and shows growth and change. Subject matter changes, as does that narrator. The narrator seems more revealed if not necessarily older. The poems become more refined and feel distilled. They are more crafted, but lack some of the energy of the early work. They are for the most part narrative. Of course, they contain legions of lyricism and in places form. None of these are ever without the other even in free verse. Wright tells of Lazarus, of women--both those who are fantasized about and those that are described with tenderness. But--there is a common theme of story. My copy is part of the 800+ poetry coll

I admit that I have read only about 15 of the poems in the collection and skimmed some of the rest. Even in skimming there is marvelousness. The Tradition focuses on race--how black and brown men AND women are por portrayed, forced to live, have such pressure to prove they are better, or at least average, and there is so much want for love in these poems. The mother(s) want love even as they beat their children. They want to add color to their yards--seemingly simple "normal" things that one can overlook easily. At least, I can. I try to put on the suit of a black man and imagine myself as him--but obviously I am an imposter. However, these poems allow me to slide into persona and see perspe

I haven't watched Highlander the Original Movie in a very, very long time. Of course, the Queen pieces, and a few bits, but damn! Still love me some swords. And Queen.

To my great shame, I was unaware of Jericho Brown until after an online interview and reading with Grace Cavaliere aired. I was/am absolutely captivated by voice. Not as in the aural, but as in how the narrator uses word play and distinct voice. Allusions and direct references to the Bible, race, gender, LGBTQA+ , are all captured and contained within form and free verse. I will not be able to do justice, but instead will end with a quote that reflects the narrator (maybe the poet). This block quote is from "Receiving Line" inscribed "California, November 4, 2008." Suited, on time: My name is Jericho Brown. I like a little blues and a lot of whiskey. I read When my children let me. I write w

The Poet's Cookbook is fun and not like any book I've ever seen. It is part anthology part cookbook. There are translations, poetry in shapes and forms, really beautiful images of everything from baking bread to the warmth of lovers. There are recipes! (I have severe dental problems so alas I cannot eat anything in the book--but I can dream ; ) There is elegance in this book too. I enjoyed it. I wish I knew Italian or had time to learn enough to attempt translation. https://www.amazon.com/Poets-Cookbook-Via-Folios/dp/1599540118/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=the+poet%27s+cookbook&qid=1598533984&sr=8-5

I read the first five-ten poems and thought that the book would only be about nature's beauty. The poems were very specific, rich in details...but I wanted the speaker's wonder to go deeper inward into story. And it did. As the poems progressed the "free woman" enters--the speaker's desire, love, and feelings of her absence. The "sweetness" is not sickly. It feels real, not creepy. Which--I think is a very hard thing to accomplish. There is tenderness here. Other poems about love are included. Daily life and people are compared and described as images from nature. I'm taking notes. It is out of print. This is one of my gifted books. https://www.amazon.com/okay-free-woman-Poems/dp/096322770X

If you like poem cycle or sequences this the collection for you. Artful, rebellious, lyrical--all describe. The Torah and the G_d is addressed, but with female energy. The psalms are played and reimagined. The earth mother powerful. The passage (so far) that has struck me is "I am like the stones people place on graves to make them a little heavier" (82). I feel that idea/metaphor more than I understand it. I am attracted to its power. Every poem require contemplation. This is a high compliment from me. I write poem sequences frequently, so I like seeing that Ostrinker was published! https://www.amazon.com/Volcano-Sequence-Pitt-Poetry/dp/0822957841/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+volcano+se

Again, a bit of a cheat--but a good one. Lisa was, sometimes is, my instructor at The Writers Studio. Of all of my courses, there (I went all the way through from Level 1 to years of Advanced Poetry and specialty classes)--Lisa engaged me the the most. I never was really introduced to her poetry. Perhaps, I didn't know to look? The Northway is her magnificent collection. There are so many powerful poems to discuss. The cheat of the matter is that I randomly pick up the collection and tell myself--oohh I should read another poem. So, again this book is not a fresh read, but it is an important one. The poem I just read, "Our Fathers," resonates with me this morning. So, that is my choice to co

I must say that I was introduced to Philip Levine's work in The Writers Studio. Somehow, I never encountered it before. This particular book was in the boxes of 800 books--I am grateful, because the gift held all of Philip Levine's books. I chose this one at random. In the introduction, it says that this is last book that Levine put together (with help though) himself. And that fits what is being written about. The poems I most related to are the writing poems and there are lots of them in The Last Shift. The poet is aging or is much older nearing the end of life and there is such nostalgia for what will not be said and what cannot be said. The pens are losing their ink, the watches are tick

I have to admit that Covid-17 has been awful. The death toll keeps rising. I disinfect disinfectant. But, exciting things are happening within our culture. ZOOM and Crowdcast and many other platforms are offering digital life. For those of you who don't know, as I say--Say it loud for those in the back! I'm Bipolar with more anxiety disorders than than the galaxy know what to do with. So, I don't go to concerts. They are loud and scary places that I CANNOT go!--but, with ZOOM and YouTube and the other applications being designed, I can go virtually. So, I have "attended" three of the great Jim Byrnes's concerts thus summer. I am proud and ecstatic that I can finally participate. I have found

Well, I've circled back around to Simic. This book is much more of what I know. This collection is made up of prose poems and prose poems series. The language and use of metaphor, fairytale, and allusions are amazing. Of course, I didn't "get" everything. I seem to have a cultural disconnect. In the first section, I am pretty sure World War I and especially, World War II are alluded to AND made into allegory through fairytale images. Mice nibble on ears, and ancestors eat cabbage--time is liminal. A note on the prose poem. Most of these poems are in blocks which is the gold standard of the prose poem. (I sometimes break this not as does Simic). The language and metaphor are completely consid

Oh, Goddess. That's what I've got to say. This poetry collection takes on the role of femme and butch discourse in the lesbian and LGBTQA+ communities. She writes precisely every image, emotion, disparity that seemingly exists. One of the comments on the back of the cover calls the poetry "irreverent." I would call it subversive and honest. The Bible is mentioned as part of her upbringing and is paired with sexual imagery. There is an idea that both sex and the body is just as spiritual as gospel and revival. Yet, there is no real turning away from the Christian belief. Every line is captivating and tastes right on the tongue. I am not going to quote my favorite lines, because I'm not sure w

To start, Bliss is a wonderful collection that everyone should read--not just poets. My book is signed--how that I happened I know not. This is an older collection, but it is transformative. It uses the short line form to create a narrow channel down the page. My favorite poem so far, I have been reading it a while on and off before the challenge is "Self-portrait." The shorts line is used to precisely capture experience and location. What is learned where is resonates on a deep, cellular level. My favorite stanza is: First come to Humanform In early Egypt Originally A queen I still like A place In the sun This is a marvelous image of history humankind perhaps, as well as the speakers. https

Render: An Apocalypse is tenderly brutal. Farm life is described in detail and captures the brutal and desperate wants of both the humans and the animals--and of course, the humans that feel like the animals. The language is both shocking and lyrical. Each action is described precisely. I admit that I haven't eaten meat for three months--so I am not the best candidate for a stellar review. I feel a bit sick...but that is no fault of the poetry. These poems force me to imagine my position. Would I tie up an animal and slit its throat--for food to be clear? Do I feel like that sacrifice? It is a compelling and contemporary questioning--I assume that previous ancestors would only know it was th

For a long moment, I thought I had just read this collection and that I must have already used it in the Sealey Challenge. But, I have not. This attests to the jarring and memorable lines, the off beat and musical style--words that fly. I love language--all diction. I love how words are used colloquially, or how slang can be profound and carry meaning far more vast than "proper" or "correct" words. I love Coleman's use of astounding vocabulary and how she riffs it until, it can hide as slang. She keeps lines broken and metaphors thick. The history of slavery and womanhood reverberates throughout the collection. "Yellowed Parchment," the second poem of Ostinato Vamps, begins "guarded like the

White Elephants confused and dazzled me. There is universal emotion, wonderful word play, samplings of other languages. In truth, I wanted to hear it read--and might try to find a reading. I want to reiterate or iterate that it is not the poet's job to explain their work. Or make it completely accessible, or... I love diversity and can appreciate it--even though I don't always stereotypically "get" it. Vazirani writes about a cross play of different cultures and religions--detailed swathes. I FEEL those words and cultures. I just don't have the context I wish I had. "Calcutta, for Jai" creates a wonderful narrator. Young and vibrant, searching, and giving advice as well as a description of t

This is an intriguing collection. There is a lot of span in terms of topics, but most often the idea of death, or children, or dreams, come up--paired with 'high brow' visceral language. The diction is meant to showcase the beauty of language and the craft of the line. I found this to be completely different than the more simple diction of the other poets I have read during the Sealey Challenge. So--is this just a male perspective issue? I doubt it. These lines and diction are not about ego. They are more difficult to decipher because of word usage, but not image. So, using scientific terms and unusual words add to mood and perspective. It gives each poem an otherworldliness. Worth the read

Ok peeps--I'm counting this as half way through my cheating Sealey Challenge Self! Facts about the Moon is incredible. Again, a female prospective on body, feeling inside oneself, sex, relationships--pretty much everything that is experienced. "Kissing Again" is my example poem. It is surprising and vulnerable, while remaining humble. " ...sex, yes, though squeezed in / between the minor depths of anger, despair-- / standing up amid the laundry / or fumbling onto the strip of rug ..." This might be the most "female" example of sexual tension. The "where" and "how" usually being engineered by the other party or society. In this, the narrator has figured out all of the details--where the sex o