With No Need for a Name

by James Goertel

"James Goertel’s With No Need for a Name ebbs back from the clang and din of 'plugged in' America to the mists and nights and star fires of life lived by Lake Erie shore and in the earths and waters of existence mythically evoked in silent recollection. This book has the courage to move far away from 'the madding crowd' on to carefully considered inscape mated to landscape mated to skyscape. Yes, this is a contemplative collection of poems in a non-contemplative era… of poetry exquisitely allusive and musical. James Goertel has succeeded in conveying with human language what he refers to in Still 79, his images and tropes embodying 'Animal language/built upon hair standing on end, the smell of/slightly-brushed-against pine.' How grateful I am for this extraordinary book woven with quietness and tenderness, passion and compassion… and wise love. I suggest reading With No Need for a Name aloud before ebbing away into Dreamtime."

~ Susan Deer Cloud, Recipient of NEA & NYFA Poetry Fellowships

136 pages, Paperback

First published March 28, 2012

About the author

Born in North Dakota, James Goertel spent twenty years working in television for ABC, NBC, and ESPN, among others. "Carry Each His Burden" is his fiction debut and was published in 2011. His poetry collections "Each Year an Anthem" and "With No Need for a Name" debuted in 2012 followed by "Self Portrait" in 2013. Goertel's title story from "Carry Each His Burden" is one of only eleven stories to be chosen for inclusion in "Submitted for Your Approval" — Rod Serling Books' inaugural anthology published in April of 2015. "Oh Mercy" — a collection of faith-inspired poems — was published in late 2015. His writing has appeared in Short Story America, Ascent Aspirations, Manifold, LucidPlay, NexTV, The Quivering Pen, The Writer's Handful, Yareah Magazine, and The Next Best Book Club. His most recent collection of poetry "Manitou Ontario" was published in 2017. Goertel's short stories "Man Out of Time," "All of My Mother's Names" and "Approaching Silence" appear in Short Story America Anthology Vol. IV, V, & VI respectively. His debut novel "Dakota Damned" — published in late 2019 — is now available.

Reviews

[Jo Ann Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poet James Goertel is an amazing writer.
His poetry is both brave and brilliant.
It is rare that I find a modern day poet that sends chills up my spine while opening my soul.
I found his poetry extremely inspiring.

~ JoAnn Marie Salmoretti (( Her Poetry ))

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A "Chef-D'Oeuvre" by James Goertel. Partly written as brief poetique stills which have deeply touched my reading heart. More than ever I found a sort of narration unconfined entremeler with it's own "poésie". Significant and at times it seems that I was "Plongée" in the night so profoundly, only to spring back to a rebirth so magnificient that I was "ruisselant de rire et de lumière"! A poetic genius!

[Echoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy reading poets who regard nature with reverence and have a pleasing perspective towards life. James Goertel's poetry is beautiful and flowing, with wisdom braided into it's lines. This book is one to keep in the nightstand, in order to revisit it often.