Customer Reviews

Goodnight, Gracie (Phoenix Poets)

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A 2007 Summer reading list mini review.

After reading Lloyd Schwartz write in "Prime Times: Writers on their favorite TV shows." that the Burns and Allen show fostered in him a lifelong love of language, I was very interested in reading more of Schwartz's work. I chose Goodnight Gracie as that poem was included in his essay in Prime Times.

I can't tell you that I understood all of his poetry or that I could give it full analysis in the 2-3 paragraphs I have assigned myself to relate here. What I can tell you is that I thoroughly enjoyed his blend of prose and poetry which I have dubbed prosetry. The opening and closing poems relate to death from different angles. "Reports of my death," stems from hearing that he had died (which turned out to be greatly exaggerated.) It is both light and heavy at the same time. Atone which is as refreshing as it is unique. The Final poem "In the Jewish Cemetery in Queens." relates to a visit to his father's grave. Again the tone varies from somber to almost quixotic. It leaves the reader an astonishingly real glimpse into the grieving process.

Jammed between the death you get excellent glimpses of life. Of all the remaining poems I most enjoyed "Gisela Bruning, House Hunting and Love. In all of them he takes prose and arranges it into resonating feelings of loss, love and regret. All in all, I am glad Schwartz was inspired by Burns and Allen with a love of language for Schwartz's love has deepened mine.