I’ve lived in five cities, of varying size, in my life: New Orleans (born and raised); Baton Rouge (college); Beaumont, Texas (first job); Houston, Texas (five years); and St. Louis (44 years and counting). My sense of memory is strongest for New Orleans; for my sense of place, it’s St. Louis. The two cities serve as my bookends, chronologically and in my mind.
I hadn’t given this serious consideration until I read Under the Pearl Moon: Poems by Rick Maxson. Maxson structures his new collection like the physical locations of his life: Ohio, Florida, Spain, California, Colorado, Texas, North Carolina. The poems become part memoir, punctuated by the introduction to each section.
I should mention that the stunning introductions by themselves are something of a marvel. What you soon understand is that the poems will tell the story of a life, not only Maxson’s life but our own.
To continue reading, please see my post today at Tweetspeak Poetry.
Some Tuesday Readings
The Seven Streams: An Irish Cycle – poetry by David Whyte.
Brittle stone – poem by Franco Amati at Garbage Notes.
Hidden River – seven sonnets by Paul Brookes via Sixty Off Poets.
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