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Rating: 
Summary: Beckman: The Legend Continues
Review: Beckman. A poet once, a poet always. From the formative years in Madison to the blessed years of Hampshire and the ensuing acclaim of the mature work, Beckman has always been a force to reckon with. Now, with the publication of this volume, Beckman's work is reaching out to the world, which will now find out what many have known for a long time: the man is a poet. No longer does he xerox his poems and bind them in unique ways; no, now the machinery of publishing has taken Beckman and presented him: stunning, unique, essential. Beckman. Now. Always.
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Summary: Things Are Happening
Review: Gerald Stern in his forward provides poetic geneology of these poems: Schuyler, Ashbery, O'Hara, "Grandfather Carlos", berrigan, Whitman, Spicer, Lorca, Hart Crane, Creeley, etc. Sounds good, eh? Yep. After reading the first poem, "Lament for the Death of Bullfighter", I flipped to the back and wasn't surprised to see in bio this poet has a deep visual streak. The phrases seem to be thoughtfully parceled out, arranged, pushed together with a minimal visual logic, stacked almost the way colors might be, edged together. There is no huge declaration, passion, or attempt to be outright witty. The passion or humor is mulled. The sometimes Creeley-like lines slowly collect their meaning, somewhat like cinematic phrases, and always showing care, making the line gossamer, and using the daily for material. Stern wasn't kidding when he says, "His identity is through affection. That is his print." At times the lines and narratives seem like they might float apart -- this seems the opposite of Lowell's granite. But unlike a lot of new poetry -- the narrative does not dissolve in confusion. Example: "Old Watermelon Hands told me/that I lack any real talent/for setting tables or having children,/that the knives were crooked/and the kids like their mother. His hands seemed to be healing,/white lines puching up/a strange map around them,/and the dog chased him through the house/showing off its leather tongue." Interesting, new, appealing. Teachers: This may be a dicey text for, say, intro poetry class as it seems simple but, I think, tone and style could be badly imitated.
Rating:
Summary: Intense, insightful, and humerous.
Review: It appears that Kirkus'bias against Gerald Stern has unfortunately led them to unprofessionally trash a bright new poet on the scene. Beckman's work is anything but trite-his words flow, his scenes are graphic, and his subject matter fresh and invigorating. This is a book to read & re-read, and to share with friends. L. David Howe
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