Poetry. "There are two things going on simultaneously in Gary Parrish's poems--a mix of awkwardness and grace--the absentminded poet stepping on the toes of the goddess, and then apologizing, while his music plays on. The presentation of self is all periphery and sidelong glance and teetering at the edge, and tension--but with a bounce that keeps it all afloat. These poems are always on the verge--and then (at some point) they explode, like fireworks, in a shower of sparks. He's been in some odd places, seen things no one else I know has seen, stepped back from and entered into experiences that required more than a share of providence to survive. His poems are just like him--shy and flirty without being coy. He manages to give it all away every time"--Lewis Warsh.

Author City: BROOKLYN, NY USA

Former 82nd Airborne Paratrooper, Gary Parrish (B 1977) received his BA from Naropa University (06) and MFA from Long Island University (09) where he won the school's Ester Hynaman Award for Poetics. Parrish co-edited POEMS FROM PENNY LANE (Farfalla Press, 2003), an anthology featuring over 70 poets chronicling 20 years of poetry in and around Naropa University. Parrish is the 2006 Pedro Pietri Memorial Prize recipient, awarded by The Bowery Arts and Sciences, LTD. He co-curated the yearlong Bowery Broadside Reading Series (07) featuring original artwork by George Schneeman at the BPC in New York City. Parrish's poetry and commentary can be found in Pinstripe Fedora, Big Bridge, ADR, Downtown Brooklyn, Four-Quarter Review, Puppy Flowers, The Recluse and BOMBAY GIN among others. "The Meek," a long poem, was translated into Italian by Tiziano Fratus and published in the journal Ludwig (Torino Poesia Press, 2008). Parrish's latest book DRIVE-IN PICTURE SHOW is available through his publisher Erudite Fangs.