Description
Barry Wallenstein's poetry, from his first book in 1977 to now, addresses his awareness of time's swift passing. The poems continue this time-honored theme and its attendant thoughts and emotions. Now in his eighth decade this theme is paramount. While time is explicitly central in the first and eighth sections, other sections speak of desire, music, current events, creatures of all sizes and states of mind. Poems in each of the groups reflect the anxieties of our current period including references to the ongoing pandemic and quarantine, as well as overriding reflections on temporality. These poems also are full of appreciation and gratitude for life's bounty. While avoiding the "personal" or autobiographical, Wallenstein's emotional life is more apparent here than in his work of the past.
Poetry.
Author Bio
Barry Wallenstein is the author of ten collections of poetry, the most recent being Time on the Move, (Xanadu Press, 2020) and Tony's Blues (bilingual - French & English) - (Éditions Pourquoi viens-tu si tard ? 2020), Drastic Dislocations: New and Selected Poems (New York Quarterly Books, 2012). His poetry has appeared in over 100 journals, including Ploughshares, The Nation, American Poetry Review and New York Quarterly. The presentation of poetry readings in collaboration with jazz is a special interest. Barry Wallenstein has made eight recordings of his poetry with jazz, the most recent being titled Lisbon Sunset, (2016), What Was, Was (Audioscope, 2015) and Lucky These Days (Cadence Jazz Records 2013). A previous CD, Euphoria Ripens, was listed among the "Best New Releases" in the journal, All About Jazz (December 2008). Barry is Emeritus Professor of Literature and Creative Writing at the City University of New York and an editor of the journal, American Book Review. www.barrywallenstein.com
Author City: NEW YORK, NY USA