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From the untidy desk of the editorWhile a new issue is always exciting for me, this time it is tinged with sadness. I received a mail just a few days ago advising that Peter Lisca, a contributor for this issue, died a few weeks ago. I can't claim to have known Peter well though we had corresponded a number of times and held similar views on a variety of poetic issues. What I do know is that Peter was a keen observer of life and had a deft touch with words that made him a gifted poet. His first volume of poetry is due to be published soon and I am sure it will provide a lasting memorial to him. My prayers are with his long term partner, Hendrika, his family and friends. God bless, Peter. As usual, there is a rich variety to be found within. I have admired Janet's work for a number of years, she has been a longstanding member of The Poetry Webring and I have returned to her site often to read her well crafted and beautifully constructed poetry. One of the tests for a poem, I think, is that it enables you to see the scene that the poet sees. Lines like: "The beach, a stretch of folded skin" convey the vision like crystal. Maria is also an educator and teaches English in Umbria, Italy. Look especially at the close attention to style and the dreaminess of lines like: "I follow those languid winds lost to perception" from Gentle persuasion. Those that know me well, know that I am not a great fan of the e.e. cummings led movement to remove capitalization and punctuation from poetry. Tricks with capitals though are used to great effect in Mastermind Illusion by Amanda Forbes and captured my attention rather than repelled it. I don't know why it should be that the Celts have such a substantial degree of creativity for a relatively unnumerous race. Adrian continues the great Irish tradition of wrapping real life events whether of the ordinary or extraordinary into finely wrought poetry. As an egotist myself, Jeffrey Green's admonition in Pride touches me uncommonly close and I can hardly pass a mirror without looking for facial contortions. Seriously, Jeffrey asks a lot of questions in this selection, appropriately he is wise enough to leave a number unanswered and allows us to answer them for ourselves. Jan is one of several poets here that appreciate that the use of space within a poem may provide a pleasing visual drawing in to a poem as well as to provide a tangible sense of the poem: Rudely ripped apart for example conveys far more than closely spaced words ever could. David Pollard already had my undying respect as the author of a book on the poetry of one of my heroes, John Keats, that I happened to own! He too knows the value of making poetry visually as well as aurally stimulating and there is no question that his poetry is both: his death pangs tolled there Jaye has not been published before. I don't really understand why for she combines keen observation of life with fine style. Bar Seasons is a wonderfully observed slice of life and The Dancer's Body has some memorable phrasing. I have had the pleasure of publishing some of Harding's work before. Another educator, though now retired, his skill with words is evident - Two Teeth and Purple must be the most enticing title I have seen in a while! But it goes well beyond the title and the opening lines: She glanced a two-toothed smile paints an excellent word picture that take you right there with him. I don't receive too many poems that use rhyme and those I do receive tend to force their rhymes and pay too little attention to meter. A Fish in the RIVER OF GOD by Edna Throness was, therefore, a most welcome arrival in my mailbox. I am not surprised Philip's work is in demand. Finely crafted with great depth with unexpected twists on the way. I especially enjoyed this phrase: .............."remembering each from The Purgatory to Wisdom I think "To My Captain" by Jannine Warren is a work of surprising depth. I have returned to it many times and see a little more each time. But the other works too are beautifully crafted with fine phrasing: "Magnetic smoke from an idle cigarette," comes immediately to mind but there are many others. Last, but far from least, is Mike Wiegand. You just know that anybody brave enough to entitle a poem Denialogue of the Zombie is going to have something special to offer. "Waiting like a spinster for the phone to scream" is a line that will stay with me a long time! Yet the rich sensitivity of Look Before We Turned is a complete contrast and demonstrates the great breadth that his poetry offers. Three very different poems in this selection. If you got this far, well, I am proud of you! You don't have to share my views though and if you have something to say feel free to use the Poetry Webring Forum to say it. Also, if you enjoyed their work why not just send the poet an email telling them you enjoyed it. It takes so little time but means so much. Chesil |
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