After reading through the biography section of “Best New Poets 2006,” one comes to realize that the adjectives “new” and “emerging” are mere technicalities in this instance.Although none of the poets included here have published a full-length book of poetry, many are MFA students or graduates, chapbook authors and most have already seen some of their poems published in the most renowned and exclusive journals in North America..
The 50 selections included in “Best New Poets 2006" were winnowed from the approximately 2,000 poems initially received from the recommendations of dozens of writing programs and poetry journals as well as work submitted directly to the competition site.
The result is a remarkably diverse mix of poems. Some of them, such as “Chekhov’s Photograph” by Quinn Lattimer, are deeply philosophical:
Was his love for her
simply his imagination come suddenly lose,
like some steamer off Yalta released from its pier
and set adrift into fog, and so into wild, terrible
being? These are very elementary questions, but
they interest me.When one is left alone
in love, these questions become important.
Others, like Gretchen Primack’s “Colors,” read more like stream-of-consciousness.Primack’s poem describes the color ecru thus:
Circle here, aliens!Take the field!
The jaw goes slack.Lips dry
among the stalks. Nothing left
to talk about.
One of my absolute favorites is Autumn Watts’ “Dry Lake, Nevada, 1983,” which, under twelve different headings, including “MORNING,” “BOMBS,” AND “TEETH,” paints a word picture that manages to capture a time and a place simply and beautifully.Another favorite, just for its economy and surprise value, is Andrew Allport’s “An Unknown Shore: Variations on a Fragment by Oppen” which at first seems like a mere word play but ends with a short but powerful commentary on European aggression during the age of exploration.
There is much to please and surprise in this diverse collection of poems.
The above review was contributed by:Kathryn Atwood: Click Here To View More Of Kathryn's Reviews:
Kathryn Atwood's poetry, reviews and essays have appeared in numerous online and print journals, including "The Aurora Review,", "Afterimage," "Void Magazine," "Wild Violet," and "PopMatters." When she's not writing or driving her three kids around somewhere, she's usually teaching at a local music studio or givng vocal performances with her husband on the subject of American song.
Click Image Below To Find Out More About Best New Poets 2007 (Note: May not work with all browsers)
Fear of Writing:For Writers and Closet Writers by Milli Thornton
The following review was contributed by: CAROLYN HOWARD-JOHNSON So, you’re a writer. Maybe you have trouble admitting it at a party. Or to yourself. Maybe you don’t feel like a writer because a bad case of “the block” has got you. Milli Thornton’s Fear of Writing to the rescue! There simply is no way a writer can read this book without stumbling over a reflection of themselves somewhere in its pages. No way one could come away from it without improving her image of herself as a writer,...
(No rating)
3-21-2007
Views: 4457
Whispers: Poems
Click Here To Purchase Whispers: Poems Author: Jonathan RussellISBN: 13: 978-1-931807-70-8Jonathan Russell is a highly valued member of the literary community and holds an Honorary doctorate of Literature from the London Institute for Applied Research (London 1993) and a Docteur des Lettres, Psychologie et Litterature, Academie Des Sciences Humai
(No rating)
10-27-2008
Views: 2561
UNIVERSAL ORLANDO 2006: The Ultimate Guide to the Ultimate Theme Park Adventure
Author: Kelly Monaghan ISBN: 1-887140-59-XThe following review was contributed by: Jennifer Brown : Click Here To View Jennifer Brown's ReviewsIs your family planning a trip to Orlando, but hoping for a little time away from a certain mouse? Think there’s nothing to do in Orlando except hang with one cranky duck named Donald? Are your kids older and looking for a little more excitement in their Orlando vacation?Look no further! Kelly Monaghan has the book for you! UNIVERSAL ORLANDO 2006:...
(No rating)
3-29-2006
Views: 4357
La Boheme: melody of poems
Title: . La Boheme: melody of poemsGenre: PoetryAuthor: . Milena Gomez, Patricia Alzate, Xenia MartinezISBN: 1410788032The following review was contributed by: Molly Martin & CLICK TO VIEW Molly Martin's ReviewsLA BOHEME MELODY OF POEMS is a 132 page offering presented by lyrists Milena Gomez, Patricia Alzate, Xenia Martiinez. The elegant, lyrical elegies dispensed by poet Gomez are located on the first 40 pages of the volume and run a spectrum of emotions from the titillation of...
(No rating)
11-27-2004
Views: 16112
Hammond World Almanac 2006 World Atlas
Publisher: Hammond World Atlas CorporationISBN: 0843709375 The following review was contributed by: NORM GOLDMAN: Editor of Bookpleasures. CLICK TO VIEW Norm Goldman's Reviews The Hammond World Atlas Corporation has teamed up with the bestselling World Almanac and Book of Facts in putting together a superb and educational publication, Hammond World Almanac 2006 World Atlas.You can probably call this Almanac the bible for world class cartography and data with its 200 pages of facts and...
(No rating)
6-1-2006
Views: 6100
The Wasp That Wanted To Be A Bee and Other Silly Poems
Author: Nora Katsourakis Anthony ISBN: 1-4327-0517-2The Wasp That Wanted To Be A Bee and Other Silly Poems are works of poetic art by proclaimed student of the human condition, Nora Anthony. Skilfully crafted with a rich language Nora has written this book of poetry with an originality that shines throughout every page. She has also called it a book of silly poems but I’m afraid I didn’t see them as silly. I’m sure anyone reading this book of verses will find many of her poems very...
(No rating)
4-27-2007
Views: 6299
Gilleland Poetry : Storoems and Poems
Author: Harry E Gilleland JrISBN: 1-4116-2927-2The following review was contributed by: Molly Martin & CLICK TO VIEW
(No rating)
7-21-2005
Views: 6904
WRITERS IN THE SPIRIT
Author: Carol J. Rottman, Ph. D.ISBN: 1932902430
(No rating)
4-7-2005
Views: 4898
Here Are Some Excellent Writers' Resources-Check Them Out
BOOK REVIEW RESOURCESSOUND ADVICE CONCERNING HAVING YOUR BOOK REVIEWED: Getting You Book Revewed: Funds For Writers (Great Site!) Interesting Interview As To How To Market Your Book: Forty Ways To Use Book Reviews: How To Spot A Phony Reviewer: Publish your articles for free, and let us SearchWarp.com promote th
(No rating)
10-10-2004
Views: 26604