Poetry and Book Reviews by Twilite

Poetry Reading - Smith College - March 13
Kimiko Hahn

Hanh's softspoken nature and petite size belie a monster, a poetry death reaper with unblinking eyes and an obsessive heart. She lightened up a poem about moms who kill their babies with one about premature burial. She had me, that's for sure. She gave me hope for the hopeless and soulless world of academic poetry. Poe's got nuthin' on her. Nuthin' !

Twilite's rating - 8.7

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Poetry Reading - Smith College - Feb 26
Sarah Manguso and Kevin Prufer
Here is my two word review; Sarah Manguso - smug, Kevin Prufer - pretentious.
Honestly, Manguso had some interesting ideas and images, but her delivery was like watching the wallpaper peel. You really had to experience it to believe it. It was like she was Vulcan or something. This chick was way too smart for her own good! I wanted to pull back her hair and check her ears. In contrast, Prufer was animated. His command of English and references to Roman history and mythology were duly impressive. He delivered his self satisfied, intellectual tripe with the conviction that he was the most gifted wit of his generation. This guy was so in love with himself that he actually giggled with glee at his own cleverness. Wow! The best thing about this reading was that it was really short, (only about 30 minutes total) and the beer sure tasted fine afterwards. Twilite's rating - 6.5-
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Eggless Wisdom, poetry by Susan Cordelli Botfield
Chapbook printed by Adasha Press, Easthampton, 1996
Unique, way too personal, death poems about cancer and pussy.
Not great poetry, but what a subject. I read it twice because it was short.
Give me this stuff over the contrived academic crap any day - at least it's got a soul.
Twilite's rating - 7.4
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Babylan - An Anthology of Filipina and Filipina American Writers
Editors: Nick Carbo and Eileen Tabios
Publisher - Aunt Lute Books, 2000
Sometimes anthologies are dismal dumps of carefully selected horseshit, but not this one! Half poetry/half prose, it sings from the diaphragm like some mythological beast. Deep, deep throaty expressions of passion and heat. Maybe too deep, but who cares? The prose was especially sensuous, the poetry especially delicious.
Twilite's rating - 8.5
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Sailing Alone Around The Room, New and Selected Poems
by Billy Collins Publisher - Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2002
Collins is the ridiculously popular master of a certain kind of poetry that appeals to the NPR set. Perfectly crafted, mildly amusing, and with just enough depth to fool the average egghead, Collins prances on, laughing all the way to the bank. I'm sorry, I don't get the attraction. Maybe I'm jealous. Maybe it's Fleetwood Mac, or the Beatles, but it sure the hell ain't Bob Marley or Johnny Cash.
Twilite's rating - 7.1
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African-American Poetry, An Anthology 1773-1927
Editor - Joan R. Sherman
Publisher - Dover Thrift Editions, 1997
This little volume offers deliverance and merits further research.
Uneven, brilliant, dusky jewels that sparkle or fall into the dirt and melt.
Check out "De Cunjah Man" by James Edwin Campbell, or "Wish for an Overcoat"
by Alfred Islay Walden, or "Her Lips Are Copper Wire" an absolutely amazing poem
by Jean Toomer. Also includes such favorites as Paul Laurence Dunbar and
Langston Hughes. Thank you, Lawd!!!
Twilite's rating - 8.2