Poetry Books

One of the best contemporary poets writing, and a force to be reckoned with. Buy this book.

This is a world of brilliance--but also with great weird humor.

The feeling grows as one turns the pages that Peter Shippy is one of the most original poets now writing in American. While the external surface of the poems is busy--byte-n surrealism to sci-fi baroque--they are secure and madly intelligent. No matter how wild his reality--and we have lovesick aliens, chop-socky crickets, a brain in a vat, a dog who digs Pier Paolo--these poems are a grand thing happening. A virtuoso verbal performance.

Shippy puts the anti back in anti-poet. Daring and glorious.

Funny, eccentric, very smart. Tough, too. But I like my poems tough. ...

I bought this book on the advice of a former friend, and I still can't get over the colossal waste of time I invested in it. I shudder to think that if I had died in a horrible accident while reading this book, it would have been the last thing I ever read.

Each piece stands as its own monument to drivel, but taken as a whole, this collection is a masterpiece of unbearable whimpers obliterating unwritten truths. You could learn more about love in a whorehouse. Or a crackhouse, for that matter. My god, whose idea was this wretched tome? And aren't there laws against this kind of tripe?

O.K., the piece by Michael Burke is a gem, but its luster is lost in this tar-black bucket of muck. And who invited that Edward Underhill guy to throw in his two cents' worth? That floundering piece is a miasma of asinine cliches unparalleled in the history of western literature. It would have made more sense to me if the writer (hah!) had presented it in Esperanto. If he is the same Underhill who works as a waiter at that little bistro on Lunt Avenue, he should focus on his tables and leave writing to those whose literary background goes beyond Bazooka Joe bubble gum wrappers.

That's the best and the worst, and the rest aren't worth mentioning, so I won't.

Anyway, buy this book. The Michael Burke piece is worth the few dollars. When you are done with that, maybe you can test my theory and translate Underhill into Esperanto. Just imagine - quantum literature in a universal language. The possibilities abound.

It's rare to find a collection of stories, poems and plays that keeps a reader as thoroughly involved as this one. Good writers that they are, the contributors to this anthology succeed in reminding us that love is a complex emotion, and that those who are touched by it can just as easily be redeemed as they can be destroyed. As with any anthology, some pieces remain in memory longer than others, yet all are worthy of one's attention. What's more, the journey from first page to last enriches both heart and mind. So much so that this reader awaits the Press's next release with happy anticipation.

It's difficult to find an anthology that has as much stopping power as this one. Reading it, I was impressed not only by the diversity of the authorial voices, but also by their veracity. Each story, poem and play seems to have come straight from the gut. What's more, the contributing writers help to remove our blinders; particularly when it comes to matters of the heart. Love, they argue, is nothing less than a battlefield on which each of us daily chances victory or defeat.Those seeking to enter the contest fully armed would do well to buy this book.

Anthologies are not my usual choice of reading material, but as this was recommended to me, I decided to give it a try. I was pleasantly surprised. While I could not relate to some of the pieces here, I enjoyed the underlying topic immensely. The poetry, drama, and short stories were a good blend. The Thing About Love Is... an enjoyable and fast read, but has a peculiar lingering effect that required that I return to it for further exploration. It's a perfect book to read from the relative comfort and safety of your best chair, where you know that you can dip into the joy and angst of love and for once, walk away unscathed.

If your idea of love is limited to visions of puppies and balloons, The Thing About Love Is... probably not for you. In Polyphony Press' first effort, the heavy topic of love is tackled in gritty, gutsy pieces that cut to core of this complex emotion. Sometimes it's bliss, sometimes it's bizarre, and quite often it hurts, but regardless of its form, love is always intriguing. This anthology is in keeping with that notion. With a variety of styles and voices, the works featured here are unanimous in their ability to draw the reader in and keep him hooked. It is truly a great read that may challenge one's personal definition of love. Call it an enjoyable experiment in mind expansion!

This book is a different style of poetry from others that I have read. The poems are very nicely written and touching in their own little way. I can place myself in some of those poems on my own personal life. Excellent poetry. When will I see more?...

Very emotional. I belive that we all have thoughts and ideas that we keep close to our heart. I was given a copy of this book and read throught it with joy! It cronicals the stories and chapters in this authors life. I envy the person that wrote this, I think how difficult it would be to show the world what you feel. Somewhat exposed! Keeping an eye out for the next edition...

Most people think of things that they would like to say to each other, but they can't put them into words. The author of this book is able to put thoughts into words and make it look easy, it's an encouragement to say what you feel, when you feel it. Don't let the moment pass. Very, very nice.

I thought that this was a great book, we often think of many things to say to each other, but can never express them in words. The author has brought to light many things that would go unnoticed otherwise. Very, very nice.

Wow! When i read this book i got chills. So many of us so many times in our lives if we look back,realize "i wish i had said so many things"and we don't note them at all. This Author has talent im hoping to be able to read another of this Author's Books. Come on #2.

This book is for anyone who has lost a loved one, is losing a loved one or has loved. It speaks to those parts of the marriage vows that are often taken for granted: "In sickness and in health, 'till death do us part". Straight from his gut, Ron gives us an intimate view of the life, love and loss of his beloved wife Patty and his subsequent healing from grief. He tells his story simply yet eloquently with honesty, grace and love.

Anyone in the throes of losing a loved one can catch an early glimpse of their inevitable future and their future past in enough time to use their understanding to enhance their experience of caring for their loved one and to gain assurance that healing will follow after grief.

I put this book in a class with "tuesdays with Morrie", for its insights, sensitivity and ability to console. As a therapist, I will definitely recommend this book to my grieving clients.

I knew Ron's wife Patty and I'm sure she is smiling down on him with pride.

This book is beautifully written and touched my soul. Ron Gries is able to put into words what many of us can only feel in our hearts. Some people may categorize this book for people who are facing the death of a loved one. However, I believe this book will be inspiring to all individuals, as it offers insights into the heart and soul at many stages of life. This is a book that stays with you. You can't help but be a better person for having read it.

Rarely do we ever have an opportunity to read a man's personal diary and letters. Ron Gries never dreamed that his many and varied views of his wife's long struggle with cancer would end up in a book, but that's what happened. The poems he wrote only for himself and the letters to their children could have been edited, but they were not. This makes the book totally real. He did a fine job of adding just enough to blend his log entries together. What an inspiring guide for those who are grieving! This book gives friends and neighbors clues what to say and do for a loved one who is terminally ill.

We were neighbors of Patty and Ron from 1969 until 1978, raising kids and playing bridge. Then we knew each other casually. Readers of this book get an intimate look at one man's journey through death to life.

Rarely do we ever have an opportunity to read a man's personal diary and letters. Ron Gries never dreamed his many and varied views of Patty's long struggle with cancer would end up in a book, but it happened. The letters he sent to their children and the poems he wrote for himself could have been edited, but they were not. This makes the book totally real. He did a fine job of adding just enough additional pages to blend them together. What a marvelous guide for marriage enrichment and for knowing better what to say and do for a loved one who has a terminal illness.

We were neighbors of Patty and Ron from 1979 until 1988, as we raised our kids and played bridge. Then I knew them casually. Thanks to Ron's book, scratch casually and substitute intimately. Ron is one fantastic man!

This is the first grief book that I have read from a male perspective - what a joy to read it! It is the story of an unbelievably difficult journey for both patient (Patty) and caregiver (Ron). As someone who has suffered two recent losses - and also someone who helps to facilitate Grief Recovery classes, I found myself deeply helped by his sharing. I also have marked several pages to read at my next Grief Recovery class.

Klein, Michael. "Track Conditions: A Memoir", University of Wisconsin Press, 2003.

Memorable Memoirs

Amos Lassen and Literary Pride

Michael Klein is an award winning poet and should win awards for his wonderful memoir "Track Conditions". It is both shameless and fascinating. After he followed his lover to an Ohio race track, Michael Klein began a three year career as a groom in the world of horse racing. He managed to bond with the 1984 Kentucky Derby winner, Swale. However he was plague with alcoholism and deeply concerned about his relationship with his lover which was on the skids as well as memories of having been abused as a child. His memoir is a story written from the heart and it is a tale of resilience. Using the race track as a metaphor for life, he shares his joys and his pain.
This is some of the most beautiful writing I have ever read but that does not mean that Klein does not get down and gritty. He holds nothing back as he illuminates his life. His life is not a pretty story--it is filled with excesses--but even so it is beautifully rendered. Here is an honest recreation of a life that is compelling.
We read as Klein succumbs to alcohol and enters a depressive state over lost love, dependency and casual random sex. It is never easy to read coming-of-age stories that are filled with pain but this is a coming-of-age story not to be missed.
It is likewise a story about horses and with the equestrian background we read about a relationship between tow men that are in the midst of deterioration.
The world of horse racing is a homophobic place but Klein managed to survive it and move up along the circuit as a groom. He discovered an affinity for horses and loved them as they loved him. We get to look into the world of horses and learn things that the average person never knows. He refers to the secrets of the world of horses as "racetrack society. The world of horse racing is a gritty and unreal world but it is not just that world that Klein tells us of. He writes of how little was available to a young homosexual with very limited means.
Written in the past tense, the memoir puts a distance between reader and writer from his beginnings until 1984 with quite a shocking ending. Klein makes no evaluations or judgments--he leaves that to the reader.
It is Klein's openness that makes this book so good. He defies the usual conventions of narrative and he is a writer to be cherished. The book is unique and very special and in no way follows the styles of other coming out stories. It is harrowing tale of redemption written by a poet in prose. The chapters are short and amazing and we realize early that there is little chance of resolution to be found. It is not a tell-all memoir--rather it is a half-told life and has something for everyone. It is not a book just for gays but rather a small life story that looms large.

Being a straight nursing student who lives in small town america,I wasn't sure I would relate to this book. But the writing and the openess of the author surpasses any differences between our lives. An amazing book.

Michael defies narrative convention while achieving its goals in his long prose poem/memoir/story. His is a story of triumph: whether found covered in ash and velvet and 100 dollar bills or perhaps in the spotlight of literary praise. Either way this story helped save me. Michael is a writer I respect and emulate.

donaldahearn@hotmail.com

This book is so unique and special -- not at all your typical gay coming out story. There are horses here and the tactile world of the racetrack and Klein's lyrical and spare prose adds just the right kind of music to a poignant and harrowing redemption tale.

Oprah, for a million little reasons, you chose the wrong memoir for your book club.

In an age where honesty in memoir seems to be a rare commodity, TRACK CONDITIONS is probably one of the most honest, compelling, and underrated books in print.

A fascinating glimpse into author Michael Klein's downward spiral into alcoholism, lost love, dependency, and casual sex, this lyrical memoir is not an easy read-never easy to read about another person's coming-of-age psychic pain. But this memoir is a must-read.

A real-life thoroughbred horse story, from a former groom's point of view, this memoir focuses on the deteriorating relationship between two young men in the midst of their own personal crises.

In 1979, Klein, a confirmed New Yorker, desperately followed his lover Richard Coatney into the homophobic underworld of thoroughbred racing, beginning his career as a horse walker at River Downs in Cincinnati and working his way up to groomer at Belmont, Churchill Downs, and Pimlico.

Among all the empty booze bottles and one-night stands, Klein discovered an aesthetic affinity for horses, in particular one special--and well-known--thoroughbred, precipitating the author's final downfall and then leading toward his eventual salvation--and this memoir.

Klein leads the reader into a world rarely ventured into by the average horse track bettor: vivid descriptions of lame horses being cruelly euthanized and the casual doping of horses for monetary gain. At the beginning of chapter three, the author summarizes, from his perspective, the visible and invisible aspects of "racetrack society":

"There are people you see all the time: the barn help, the trainers, the exercise crew, the men and women who deliver hay and straw and feed. And there are those you see only rarely, if at all: the jockeys, the parimutuel clerks, the owners, the starting-gate crew. Two worlds: the training world and the racing world."

Ironically, from the reader's perspective, the visibility/invisibility paradigm is directly the opposite from the author's.

And Klein offers insights into worlds which are largely invisible to most of us: in addition to the gritty side of thoroughbred racing, he also reveals the limited options available to an impoverished young homosexual, also a poet and rebel, of the late seventies and early eighties.

First published in 1997, the memoir's main narrative covers the author's racetrack life, from its inauspicious beginning to its shocking 1984 denouement, with some interspersed flashbacks to his abusive and incestuous childhood and Manhattan life with Richard.

While revealing vivid and harsh details about his life, the author maintains a psychic distance from the reader through his dispassionate use of the past tense; moreover, he does not editorialize from the perspective of the forty-something memoirist.

He simply unfolds his story, leaving judgments, analyses, and evaluations up to his readers.

The distance works well; the author never whines or asks his audience to feel sorry for him. He simply presents "in-your-face" statements and facts, like them or hate them.

It doesn't matter what the reader thinks; in the end, Klein, with a metaphorical kick from his equine friend, triumphs.

There is beauty and poignancy in Klein's spare prose, yet glimmers of humor add some comic relief, for example, when he describes some of the other grooms and other track people and recounts some his late mother's family stories.

I recommend this book for both gays and straights--anyone who appreciates a well-written life-story, no matter how down and gritty.

I own the 1997 hardcover edition, and it is worth every one of the twenty-two dollars that I paid for it.

TRAIL is one of the most fabulous, intriguing pop-up books I have ever seen. How in the world does David Pelham do it? I wouldn't know where to begin. But I find myself drawn to the book and in awe every time I turn the pages. This book will turn you into a pop-up collector. Sophie

This book is magnificent. It is beautiful, stunning, and so much fun! Art plus poetry -- that will delight anyone of any age. I have given it for multiple gifts, and I can't quit looking at it myself. Get one for yourself, and you will want more to share.

I gave this book to my 13 year old grandson for Christmas and it was a great success. The book so captured his interest that he wanted to stop opening presents to read it. It is fasinating how the poetry comes to life in the pop-ups. At the same time the pop-ups don't overwhelm. I think the use of the white paper was inspirational. I will watch for further work by this author Pelham.

Really a neat popup book. No colors; but the basic white still made the popups very pretty. Fascinating as to how such a book could be created. Made a nice Christmas gift for my teenage granddaughter. She thought it was really cool. I really like the paper poetry that went along with the details of each page!

I am a big fan of pop-up books, and especially enjoy the simplicy of the ones done all in white (such as Robert Sabuda's), as they allow you to appreciate the skill of the artist. I love this book! It is a marvelous job of engineering and imagination. I took it to work and everyone went bananas.

I made copies of some of the poems to put on the overhead for my classroom of middle school students. Some of my Spanish speakers "volunteered" (at my urging) to read aloud, and all the kids loved it! The art selections are appropriate and the readability level is good for this age (even in the Spanish) A great addition to any teacher's bookshelf.

I found this book a valuable resource for getting young children interested in poetry. I have used this book for three years now and the response from my 2nd and 3rd graders has been fantastic. Many of the poems in this book, the kiddos can associate with making for interesting reading. This is a must buy for anyone trying to introduce poetry in the classroom.

This is a wonderful book . The pictures work the imagination and the poems are beautiful. The dual language format will intrigue young readers and just may get them interested in a 'different' language. In addition this will expose youngsters to some of Mexico's rich culture. I know several college professors who have adopted this book to use in their Children's Literature and reading courses. Truth be told, I liked it so much I bought it for myself several years ago and have been 'advertising' it ever since.

This book may turn out to be my all-time favorite book of bilingual poetry. The frosting on the cake, so to speak, turns out to be the art work accompanying the poetry. Each time I read one of the poems I like it better than the last time. And these are carefully selected, excellent quality poems: with writers such as Octavio Paz, Alberto Blanco, Rosario Castellanos (and many more) how could they not be terrific? A lasting gift for any occasion, especially for someone interested in bilingual stories from Mexico.

Being a beginning self-taught student in Spanish with a special interest in Mexican Spanish by way of my residency in Texas, I took a chance on purchasing this bilingual book and was more than delighted by what I found inside. The convenient side-by-side text of the poems and short stories makes it easy to follow the translations and improve language skills. However, the real treasures in this book are discovered slowly, as one peruses the glowing artwork by various Mexican artists in conjunction with the inspiring words that seem to interweave themselves into the pictures. This is a book to sit back and savor during personal quiet time, or to read to your children. The melodic rhythms of both the Spanish and English texts rock the heart and soothe the soul.

I have listened to these over and over and get more out of them each time. Neil Gaiman is a brilliant writer and the actors in these audio plays are incredible. This is art of the highest order.

I'm a fan...Neil's worst works still qualify as excellent in my mind, and these are some of his best. I read these stories when they were published 10 years ago in a small distribution book called Angels and Visitations. Then I saw them reprinted again in another book some years later.

The two plays in this package provided my wife and I the best entertainment we were going to get while being stuck in 8 hours of traffic. Finally I got my wife to pay attention to Neil's stuff (she refused to read Sandman)and she dug it.

If you like books on tape, this is better. If you like reading Neil's work, you'll like it even better this way.

Neil, if you're reading this...can we have some more of these?

Two very disturbing stories from Neil Gaiman, this was a duet of short plays adapted for "Seeing Ear Theatre" and read by Bebe Neuwirth ("Snow Glass Apples") and Brian Dennehy ("Murder Mystery.")

"Snow Glass Apples" was a re-telling of Snow White with a ghastly vampiric twist, and from the voice of the Queen, who is anything but the Disnified villainess we've come to know and loathe. Snow White is herself a disturbing figure, and all in all, this was a very enjoyable re-telling of a classic, if a tad gruesome in its telling and conclusion.

"Murder Mystery" I found quite wonderful - it is a tale that includes the investigation of the first murder ever - an angel has been killed, and another angel is called to investigate. The B-plot story, however, just plain didn't make sense.

If I had to break them into two parts, "Snow Glass Apples" would get a '5' and "Murder Mystery" would get a '3.' Hence the '4.'

'Nathan

Two Plays For Voices is part of the Seeing Ear Theatre Productions from the Sci-Fi Channel. More television stations should follow their lead. These two stories told in the form of radio plays are terrific! I am a big fan of Neil Gaiman and this format brings two incredible stories to life.

Murder Mysteries is expertly presented and the twist at the end is a surprise to say the least.

Snow Glass Apples is a shivery fairy tale which cuts to the core of good vs. evil and that some things aren't always what they seem.

I'm a fan...Neil's worst works still qualify as excellent in my mind, and these are some of his best. I read these stories when they were published 10 years ago in a small distribution book called Angels and Visitations. Then I saw them reprinted again in another book some years later.

The two plays in this package provided my wife and I the best entertainment we were going to get while being stuck in 8 hours of traffic. Finally I got my wife to pay attention to Neil's stuff (she refused to read Sandman)and she dug it.

If you like books on tape, this is better. If you like reading Neil's work, you'll like it even better this way.

Neil, if you're reading this...can we have some more of these?

I had the good fortune to meet and talk with Ronnie Lee before I read a single poem of his.
He is clearly a genuine and thoughtful person with much to say. His poetry in "A View into My Soul" is truly direct, heartfelt and inspiring, if (at times) a bit rough on the edges. "Silver" Silver his second book of very personal poetry is even more mature and more focused. In "Silver" the poems "Pieces" (p. 19) and "Everyone Needs to be Touched"(p. 31) are among my favorites. Accessible and easy to read, this poetry is inspiring and truly comes from an inspired person. Ronnie Lee tells me a novel is next, which I will read with great interest, since as a person he is such a great story teller.
Be sure to start with his poetry which will indeed tell you what is in Ronnie Lee Mickle's SOUL.

I'm sure [...] poetry since high school, and even then I hated it - but I really liked this work. I think it's because it doesn't sound like someone trying to write poetry, but rather someone who has something to say who was able to say it through poetry. Plus, you feel an incredible amount of emotion - clearly Ronnie Lee is sharing a part of himself instead of just telling a story, so it feels more personal. Something different that will make you stop and think.

The poems within this book easily adapt to specific situations of one's life that also fit the emotion. I could find an event in my life that virtually fits each poem. The short lengths of the poems do not require an overwhelming amount of thought, making them easier to interpret. I honestly think I will refer to this book for the rest of my life for assistance and motivation. I strongly recommend purchasing this book and also sharing its contents with others as I will continue to do.

This is a great book of poems. Anyone who thinks they don't like poetry, should read this book, It isn't just poems, it is a true story of one young person trying to find a reason to survive in this sometimes cruel world we live in. As you read it you will feel the pain and feel the emotions of a young man all alone with nothing but his thoughts to keep him going. He has more power in his words to change the lives of others than most teachers could only dream of having. One day this young man will be a well known writer. Hopefully I will still be around to see it happen. This type of talent is very rare. Thank you GOD for sending him to us.

I ran into the author online after reading his website, I commented about something I'd read on his webpage and we chatted a bit. I purchased his book and we even chatted about another young author who he is friends with. I bought his book too. I'm glad that I met Ronnie Lee online. His poems touched my heart. I could feel his emotion in his words. There were two that I had to share with the man I love. I did give Ronnie Lee credit, two of his poems put into words how I feel about my own love. Thank you Ronnie Lee Mickle for sharing your soul with us.

A menagerie of complex emotions and an intriguing exploration of the human spirit.

I love this book and am buying more as gifts for my friends.

I related to the emotions, love and passion on Waking Bodies.

I have on rare occasions been so seduced by a book on the first page that I cannot stop reading, and Waking Bodies did just that. I actually tried to put the book down after reading the first poem, but found myself hungering for more. Not only did the individual poems dazzle my psyche, but each word seemed to be part of a mystery that the author dared me to discover. Rex Wilder not only has that "classic poets" tone that takes you into the wonderful abyss where old dusty corners take on new meanings, but if you are not afraid to let him touch your sensual zone, you will find as did I, that Waking Bodies is a must read.

Finally, a poet who speaks what you are thinking and feeling! I loved the book cover to cover and appreciate the beauty and passion in which it was written. I highly reccomend it to those of us who wish we possesed that kind of talent.