The Garbage Eater: Poems

by Brett Foster

The “Garbage Eater” of the title poem in Brett Foster’s provocative collection is a member of a religious sect (some would say cult) in the Bay Area who lives an ascetic life eating scraps from dumpsters. Just as this simple way of life exists within the most technologically advanced region in the world, Foster’s poems are likewise animated by the constant tension between material reality and an unabashed yearning for transcendence. The titles of Foster’s poems—“Like as a ship, that through the Ocean wyde,” “Meditation in an Olive Garden,” “Little Flowers of Dan Quisenberry” —nod to the poems of the classical, medieval, and Renaissance masters he studies as a scholar. 

In Foster’s vivid imagination, however, they point to the surprises hidden in the a trip to the DMV, a visit to a chain restaurant, and the saintly reflections of the Kansas City Royals’ best closer. A lesser, more faddish writer would then tend toward ironic distance, but Foster fearlessly raises such unfashionable subjects as joy, doubt, gratitude, and grief without losing a sly sense of humor, even (as the sample poem shows) about poetry itself. Given its ambition, The Garbage Eater hardly seems a debut work. Foster’s universal subject matter and approachable style will win fans among both the most experienced poetry readers and those easily intimidated by contemporary verse.

Genres: Poetry

80 pages, Paperback

First published April 28, 2011

Reviews

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second time around, I didn't get as much from The Garbage Eater. I know I'll read it again and my feelings will likely change. Foster is more of an urban poet than a nature poet ("Meditation in an Olive Garden," anyone?) and his close attention to life in the city is well worth the read. However, this read-through, none of his poems leapt out to me. I didn't find myself thinking back to the morning's poem during the day, savoring its words. Foster does some fascinating things with poems, such as "Sestina for One Coast," which is an epithalamion and dialogue in addition to being the poetic form that haunts my creative writing class nightmares. We lost Foster too soon and I regret what he did not get to write. I hope to return to this collection again and enjoy it more once again.

"Devotion: For Our Bodies" (p. 51)
Yes love, I must confess I'm at it again,
struggling in vain with my Greek declensions.
I know it's common, but I want to show
you what I found in Praxeis Apostolon,

chapter one, verse twenty-four: this exquisite
epithet, kardiognosta. Forget
briefly its context, that the Eleven,
genuflecting, implore the Lord to give

wisdom. Between Justus and Matthias,
who replaces Judas? Let this word pass
to private sharpness toward love's dominion.
Let me kiss it across your collarbones--

knower of hearts. Its sweetness fills my mouth
and our twin lots, as if they'd chosen both.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Favorites: "Intercession: For My Daughter", "The Advent Calendar"

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoughtful, beautiful poetry, tied to daily life, literary texts, and the life of faith. I would quote it more but I have already lent it out to someone else - have to buy myself another copy.

"Unsuspecting little girl, may this world be always
not small for you, your last days long and still
not length enough. Differ from me, so often paralyzed

by how to fill another thousand hours. Never valiant,
but not the worst reply to living, either. Improve
my stewarding. Love the boredom and the grace you're given."
from "Intercession For My Daughter"

[Todd Putney · Rating 3 out of 5]

excellent book of poetry by Wheaton college prof who just died.