1. Mark Peters
Mark Peter’s
“Men” stuck out to me because of the questions he brings up and the places he
takes you in the poems. Two of my favorite poems from the collection are 41 and
43. In 41 Peter’s ends the poem with a quote that seems to be a survey from men
and women about having sex. I found this addition to the poem to be thought
provoking and let the reader wonder about their stance in the surveyed
statement. In 43 he talks about the belief that women are perfect and this one
hits me the most because I am a big proprietor of men and women being equal and
Peters explains the idea that one is superior to the other in a fantasized way.
2. Larry Price
The poem that
stood out to me most in Circadium by Larry Price was Everything Bears Interest.
In this poem the line that spoke to me was, “The mind is always repetitive,
while our bodies issue point-by-point heavens automating the void.” I love the
way Price speaks about the body and the mind and how they work together or
apart to move us through life. In my own art work I try to delve into these
ideas and these transitional issues we face and I love that Price writes about
them as well.
3. Marilyn Rosenberg
“Things you never
said or said, and I never heard…” by Rosenberg is a visual poem that
encompasses so many ideas into such a small space. The pile of text signifies
the words that the poet has never heard from someone they care about. This is
such a personal piece for me because I have always grappled with the things
that were never said or the things that I failed to hear. Rosenberg showcases
these feelings are valid and that we all have a pile of words that we have only
heard in our minds, and never from the person we want to hear them from.
4. Kevin Davies
Kevin Davies Pause Button is a
collection that was very interesting to read, especially because of all of the
blank spaces that he leave for the reader to fill in with words. I was first
drawn in because of the first line in the collection, “but the sea which no one
empties is also an ashtray.” From someone who is very connected to the sea, I
have always put the ocean on a pedestal of perfection. To hear that the sea is
also an ashtray opens up the idea that “all that glitters is not gold,” and
that even the most amazing of spaces can be tarnished.
This found poem
“what about ugly babies?” is one that at first, made me laugh. But after
looking at it, I began to think about the question and I honestly have always
wondered about this. I am known for my love of fat-faced babies and like many
people who love dogs or cats and think that all of them are adorable; I am the
person who believes that all babies are the cutest things on earth. This found
poem made me think about how the cuteness factor of a baby is subjective, yet
babies are so innocent.
“Jeff, one lonely guy” is another found
poem that I found to be a great look into humans and the idea of empathy.
Everyone is guilty of needing someone to talk to, whether it is something that
is making you upset or happy, we all need someone. I think that this found poem
is a brave and allows people to think about the idea of opening yourself up to
other people, even strangers.
7. Alan Riddel
Alan Riddel’s
typewriter poems are beautiful uses of type as visual art and poetry. All of
the poems show the power of words and letters. One that stuck out to me was The
Affair. In this visual poem the letter “u” is surrounded by the letter “I”. I
found this poem to be a great representation of how people can hide other
people inside their minds and inside their lives.
8. Barbra O’Connelly
Barbra
O’Connelly’s “There Were Dreams,” is a beautiful visual poem. I loved this
collection of drawings and words because of the rawness in each of the images.
Some of the words were harder to read than others, which added to the idea that
there are times in heartbreak that are easier to get through than others. The
beginning of the book also touched me, where O’Connelly dedicated the work to “Don
who stayed.”
9. Meic Stephens
I was very
interested in Meic Stephens’ found poems, specifically “crossed lines.” This
poem is an actual phone conversation, which I was so intrigued by. I really
enjoy writing and making art based on the things that come up in conversations
between myself and friends and family. The fact that Stephens’ used an actual
phone conversation really related to all of the direct quotes that I have used
in my previous work and use as constant inspiration.
10. John Baldessari
This poem by John
Baldessari is one that hits home to all artists. We are all guilty of feeling
that our art work is boring or meaningless, there are times when we feel as if
creating work that matters is impossible. After reading this poem I was taken
to a place of validation that all artists have moments of insecurity and that
sometimes we need a push in order to move forward.
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