A Marvellous Commentary on the Place of Poetry in Our Time

R.V. Young has just published a fine review essay on The Fortunes of Poetry in an Age of Unmaking.  It is always tempting for an author to respond to faults found by a reviewer, and Young does find a few in Fortunes, but I would rather just invite the reader to enjoy Young's delight in the follies of our age and his patient attention to what my study tries to accomplish.  As would I invite the reader to explore Fortunes for himself.  I hope the ambition of a book that tries to be at once polemic, critical study, philosophical aesthetic, and a guide to the basics of verse craft all in one will meet the various desires of many readers. Click the cover to read the full review.

While I have your attention, let me note that two new poems, "At the Lake House" and "To Hilary, on Our Wedding Day," appeared in the previous issue of Modern Age.  You can find the link to them by clicking the magazine cover at right.  I am grateful to the late Peter Augustine Lawler, whose reign as the editor of Modern Age was sadly cut short at two issues, for his desire to feature my work as a poet, editor, and critic in his pages.

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