Customer Reviews

New American Poets

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I saw "New American Poets" in a local bookstore, and had a long look. I noticed on the back the comment that it is "groundbreaking" collection of "some of the most exciting verse being written today." But some of the names inside frankly did not ring a bell. And others, like Robert Pinsky, Louise Gluck, Jorie Graham, without taking anything away from them, seemed oddly included in a groundbreaking collection. You can probably tell that I ended up buying it.

Then I noticed that this collection was first published in 1991 under the title "New American Poets of the '90s," reissued in August 2005. But the thing that was weird to me was that it was reissued as though it continues to be 1991. There is a brief explanation by Jack Myers that some of the poets have gone on to win Pulitzer Prizes, National Book Awards, etc. And as for the poems, there are some wild, extraordinary surprises in there. It is definitely something a lover of poetry should add to the collection.

But I wanted to know more. There is zero information about the poets themselves, except some publishing notes. It seemed unfair to the reader and the poets not to give some kind of update. Are you still alive? Are you teaching somewhere? have you written anything since 1991? Did you move to New Zealand? Do you have ten kids? Do you like pina coladas? Does your dog still bark all night?

Was it too much work to give this collection a real update? If they need help at Godine, I can volunteer once a month. That way they might come up with something that belongs in the "new books" section of the store which is where I found this historical anomaly.

But the poems are still great.

Poetry doesn't have to be Shakesperian sonnets and school type stuff and so much does NOT "have to depend on the red wheelbarrow".

Poetry does not have to be dry and boring and only read in schools!

This is not fixed verse. This is not about flowers, sunshine, and shiny-happy love. This is not nicities.

This is raw.personal.new.freeverse.

Anyway, I like it and maybe you will too!