Best American Poetry: Reuben Jackson's "November Poem" is Pick of the Week
Terence Winch chooses a fiery Jackson original for Best American Poetry's pick of the week.
Grace Cavalieri says what we are all thinking about Jackson's love song turned murder ballad "November Poem", "This is such an unusual poem for Reuben. Goes to show the man travels places that would thrill an astronaut. He certainly thrills us." And the thrill cuts through every punching line in this poem selected by Terence Winch for Best American Poetry's pick of the week.
Another commentator notes the dream-like, or nightmare-like, aspect of the piece, writing, "What a dream, shifting forward in each well measured line, each pulse, popping with surprise until its end." A poet noted for his realistic depictions of life and love, "November Poem" marks a departure for Jackson which is already garnering attention for its singularness-- while employing the familiar craft for which he is justly renowned.
Read the "November Poem" here. Purchase Reuben's collection Scattered Clouds here.
Featured Audio: Rose Solari reads “The Beginning, 1939”
In “The Beginning, 1939” Rose Solari’s mastery of recitation is put to the music of her capricious mother and the frantic hopes of her father who wishes to leave “no long, tight pauses for her to fill.” I’ve written before about Rose’s use of swing and rhythmic motifs in her work, elements which are alive in this poem, but what is really mesmerizing to me about “1939” is the musical image toward the end which harbors no pretense of cramming lieder into language, but instead focuses on the very physical act of her mother playing the piano:
Mikaela Lefrak Examines the Life of Maryland Poet Laureate, Grace Cavalieri
The beloved Grace Cavalieri “contains multitudes” according to Mikaela Lefrak in her newest article from WAMU taking a look at the life and career of the 10th Poet Laureate. And Ms. Lefrak treats her subject with the due respect of a life which cannot be covered succinctly in 500 words. She delivers a reverent tourists’ view of Grace Cavalieri’s life, hitting the big things: her poetry and work ethic, the passing of her husband, Kenneth Flynn, her conversion to Buddhism, and finally her new tenure as Poet Laureate.
Listen to Grace Cavalieri on the Kojo Nnamdi Show
Grace Cavalieri’s recent stop at NPR’s The Kojo Nnamdi show is now streamable. Over a substantive 22 minutes, listen to Grace talk about poetry, inspiration, and her plans as the 10th Maryland Poet Laureate.