Author: Gazelle Poetry Books

TM Stringfellow | More Than Dancing | Gazelle Books

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Challenging modern America’s perspective on love history, and race relations, these poems deviate from such techniques as free verse and abstraction to concentrate on structured forms such as odes and Italian sonnets. The unifying idea of the book also comes from the classics: the poet views black artists as Prometheus figures, giving fire and inspiration to American culture even when they are barely acknowledged. The poetry’s message, however, is gritty and emotional — and sometimes deliberately sentimental — as it pits the joys of love, romance, and racial pride against the sorrows of slavery and segregation. Continue reading →

Ricardo Sternberg | The Invention Of Honey | Gazelle Books

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Ricardo Sternberg’s writing is controlled and superb. Fairy tale-like pieces rest happily next to probing looks at the urban psyche; whimsical pieces about childhood mesh with harsh, adult realities. Sternberg’s poetry has appeared in the best of this continent’s literary journals–Poetry [Chicago], The Paris Review, The Nation, American Poetry Review, Canadian Literature, Ploughshares, The Virginia Quarterly, among others. Continue reading →

Peter Meinke | The Shape of Poetry : A Practical Guide to Writing Poetry | Gazelle Books

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Focusing on the foundations of poetry this reference teaches aspiring poets the mechanics of writing verse. Offering advice on the abstract poetic notions — what makes good poetry, the meaning and inspirations of poetry — and the concrete — how to start a poem, how to craft its shape, and how to use the various poetic forms — this concise and insightful book provides inspiring and practical instruction. Including the author’s own poems for guidance, this revised edition also discusses the direction of post-millennium, contemporary poetry. Continue reading →

Eric Greinke | Sea Dog: A Coast Guard Memoir | Gazelle Books

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Based on the author’s real experiences as a member of a search and rescue team on the Great Lakes in the late 1960’s, ‘Sea Dog’ puts a different face on those times. Written with a wry, ironic humour, this a coming-of-age story that parallels the maturation of American society during that period. The story takes place during the glory days of manned lighthouses and boat rescues, before automation of the lights and Coast Guard reliance on air power. Numerous realistic Coast Guard rescues are described in detail. The salty characters are deftly drawn, including Yogi, the sea dog, one of the most unique canine characters in literature. ‘Sea Dog’ is a funny, personal look at the everyday heroes who risk their lives in the United States Coast Guard. Continue reading →

A. D. Winans | The Other Side of Broadway | Gazelle Books

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A. D. Winans has been around the blocks of San Francisco streets for over a generation as a witness to the changes that mark a society of consumerism gone amok with wars and the many desolations resulting from the contradictions, hypocrisies and downright injustices of a society living at the height of both compassion and decadence. There is a celebration in these poems of the figures of San Francisco streets, the ‘characters’ that have been sacrificed to the system and yet have resisted final destructions. And at the centre of all the highs and lows of Winans’ discordant narrative and, at times lyric moments composed of biting images of his wanderings, geographically or physically, are his genuine praise-songs to the fellow street-poets who have helped to shape his own gritty style. 71 poems selected by the author, at the age of 70. His poems are heartfelt expressions of a wise observer, powerfully honest and uncompromised by literary fashion. Continue reading →

Connie Fox | Blood Cocoon | Gazelle Books

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In these poems, Connie Fox explores the ancient theology/philosophy of the Great Goddess world-view where the Earth itself is literally the Earth Mother & everything is dominated by a sense of female sexuality/fertility. ‘The Dream of the Black Topaz Chamber’, ‘Oma’, & ‘Nachthymnen’ highlight this primordial femininity with lush imagery & rich language. ‘10170’ and ‘Babicka’ link the past with the present & provide a glimpse into Connie’s experiences, sensuality, & awareness of the life-death cycle. This increased awareness of death & aloneness permeates the imagery in ‘Our Lady Of Laussel’ and ‘Entre Nous’. Fox identifies & identifies with the history/anthropology/philosophy of female sexuality & portrays it with courage, sensitivity, & intelligence. This poetry is a kind of Jungian-Freudian Id-history of Connie’s life & relationships from childhood to adulthood. Continue reading →