FIRST "RECENTLY RELISHED W(H)INES" POST FOR 2014

I'll occasionally post here my recent reading and wine-drinking list, or "Recently Relished W(h)ines."  Here's the first for 2014 below.  My definition of "relished" means I finished reading the book (I may not think it great writing or I may even dislike it but if I finished it that implies there was something in it that caused me not to close the book mid-way).  Please note that in the Publications section, if you see an asterisk before the title, that means a review copy is available for Galatea Resurrects!  More info on that HERE.

PUBLICATIONS

ASEMIC COLON, poems by Mark Young (wonderful read and easy sampler for his larger book, THE CODICILS) 

A MESSENGER COMES, poems by Rachel Tzvia Back (fabulous, LinkedIn Poetry Recommendation, or LPR, #101) 

SYMPHONY NO. 9 (NOCTURNES & THRESHOLDS), poems by Ric Carfagna (excellent!  I blurbed it and called it “a welcome addition to postmodern and deconstructed romantic poetry.” Future LPR.  Also, I first read this in manuscript form so it’s always interesting to see the actual designed book – and the design is lovely with drawings by another wonderful poet, Peter Ganick)

NOTWITHSTANDING SHORING, FLUMMOX, poems by Emily Abendroth (distinct charm)

Ted Pearson in THE GRAND PIANO, which is ten volumes of a "collective autobiography" by ten poets. Because all of the volumes were released prior to my paying attention to this series, I have been reading each individual poet’s contributions sequentially with the idea that, if I was so moved after reading all authors’ contributions, I then would read the books as collectively authored. As regards Ted Pearson’s contribution, I found his discussions on “community” quite useful even as what I take from his discussion is not really about personal engagements (not to say, such wasn’t there for him) – specifically, I found most useful the idea that the nature of the poem itself plays a role.  That is, one can interact with people but it would be logical that as a poetry community forms, the poems being written would play a role as glue.  That’s perhaps why, just speaking for myself, I would have trouble fitting in (though try to amiably fit in with everyone/anyone) with communities formed around other elements besides the poem, elements such as race, gender, generation, geography (another reason I love the internet as it is trans), etc.  I liked Pearson’s gentle contributions.  And I much appreciated not just the quote by, but the fact that he quoted, Andrew Vacchs!

Barrett Wattten in THE GRAND PIANO (see above)

THE ANGELS OF BREAD, poems by Martin Espada (undoubtedly a re-read. As ever, a crowd-pleaser)

THE SELECTED POETRY OF EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY, edited by Nancy Mitford (wonderful, but of course!)

DEAR GOOD NAKED MORNING, poems by Ruth L. Schwartz (some fabulous poems in here.  But it’s also the first time I’ve read a poetry collection and wondered whether the lyrical touch was, at times, too lyrical)

THE CURVED PLANKS, poems by Yves Bonnefoy, Trans. By Hoyt Rogers

*  THE PINK, poems by Jared Schickling

*  IMPERIAL NOSTALGIAS, poems and images by Joshua Edwards

*  & NOW MY FEET ARE MAPS, poems by Jenn McCreary

MINIATURES, poems by Meredith Cole

SEASONAL WORKS WITH LETTERS ON FIRE, poems by Brenda Hillman

*  FIND THE GIRL, poems by Lightsey Darst

*  DANCE, poems by Lightsey Darst

WOMAN IN THE PAINTING, poems by Andrea Hollander Budy

HEROES IN DISGUISE, poems by Linda Pastan

EVERYTHING ARRIVES AT THE LIGHT, poems by Lorna Crozier

*  INCIDENTS OF SCATTERING, poems by Karen Lepri

*  COLLECTED POEMS by Patricia Dobler

TALISMAN: A JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY POETRY ANDPOETICS, Issue #42, 2014  (honored to be in its section, “The Occupation: The First of Three Major Selections of Works by and about Women Writers Around the World” edited by Lisa Bourbeau)

HUNGARIAN LANGART, visual poetry by Marton Koppany 

PUZZLES OF FAITH AND PATTERNS OF DOUBT: SHORT STORIES AND POEMS Edited by Gregory F. Tague

ANIMALS VS. FURNITURE, poetic picture book by Normandy Raven Sherwood with illustrations by Jesse Hawley

GONE, novel by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge

WINES

2007 Aubert Lauren Sonoma Coast chardonnay

1991 Casa Ferreirinha Barca-Vellha Vinho de Mesa Tinto

2012 Rutherford Vintners Pinot noir NV

2009 Nero d'Avola "Nerojblea" Gulfi Sicilian

Long Meadow Ranch Ranch House Red NV

2010 Les Halos de Jupiter Par Philippe Cambie Cotes du Rhone

N.Y.’s Eve Wines:

2008 Launois Pere & Fils Le Mesnil Sur Oger Reserve Blanc de Blancs Champagne Grand Cru

2007 Peter Michael La Carriere

1997 Gaja Sperss Lange Nebbiolo

1977 Dow Silver Jubilee Vintage Port