waiting in my mailbox when i arrived home from work today was none other than Christopher Cunningham's newest collection, the winner of the 2005 Nerve Cowboy Chapbook Contest, Thru the Heart of This Animal Life, A Measure of Impossible Humor. if you don't know, yet, Cunningham is one of the best living poets in America today. that's a bold statement, i know, but i will back it up.
how? well, my Hemispherical Press will be releasing Cunningham's next book, Upright Against the Savage Heavens, in the first half of 2006. so, if you buy Cunningham's current book from Nerve Cowboy, and you don't like it, i'll give you a copy of Upright. i am THAT convinced that you'll dig his stuff. so, go to Nerve Cowboy's website, get the address and send them the $6 for the book.
you can thank me later, with a beer, if we ever meet (or if we've already met, when we meet again).
speaking of poetry books, i bought two collections of Billy Collins's work -- Nine Horses and Sailing Alone Around the Room -- the other night. they are pretty good; rife with great images and those ironic twists that i'm fond of. it's amazing this guy was our Poet Laureate considering his style of writing. gives me hope that one of our brethren (or sistren?) will make it big. but, i wonder what Collins has that some of us don't? an academic pedigree? maybe. good friends in high places? perhaps. it certainly isn't talent. there are a bunch of poets struggling in the small (and unknown) press with just as much talent as Mr. Collins. either way, they're good collections.
in the end, though, i'll take This Animal Life and Upright any day of the everloving week.
5 comments:
At one time I worked in a upscale retirement community. Every other Saturday or so I had to sit with a terminally-ill man while his wife went out to run errands. Their apartment there was exquisite. I loved going there for the vibe, very artsy, but mostly, because they had a huge collection of poetry that I had total access to. They had a huge selection of Collins. I enjoyed him a ton, he gave me hope too. ;)
amanda-
sounds like a cool place. Billy really does give poets like us hope. what other poets did you get to read from their collection.
chris-
you should check out Collins. you'll love him for sure. but, Cunningham is the man. you'll love the book, bro. it's a world-killer.
chris-
i'll have to admit that i've never read any of Carver's poems, but you are not the first to suggest them to me. and after reading that poem that casey posted, i'm definitely going to pick up a book. soon.
thanks for posting that casey. that is by far the best thing ever written about Buk. better than all the biographies combined. wow!
Carver is good.
One of my best friends used to love Raymond Carver. I have never read anything by him. (Chris, I know you've been telling me for a year to read something. I will!)
The poem is...well! Wow! That's great. What book is it in? Did someone say that and I missed it?
Kat-
well, i'm glad to know i'm not the only one who 1) hasn't read Carver and 2) ignores their friends repeated suggestions to do so. well, i for one will definitely be picking up that book chris mentions.
chris-
jesus christ that is a powerful poem. that last line just gets you right there. i know that feeling. wow. thank you for sharing it.
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