Poetspeak

by Janeczko

A collection of 148 poems on a variety of topics by 62 modern poets who provide commentary on their individual works

Genres: Poetry

Paperback

First published July 1, 1983

Reviews

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Poetspeak” is a compilation of poetry by 62 modern American poets. It is a sort of anthology.

I found it interesting as each poet made a comment about their poem at the end telling why or what triggered them to write the poem. Also, some poets wrote small anecdotes about becoming a poet. Paul Janeczko oversaw the compilation. Many of the poets had their picture in the book which I enjoyed. This was published in 1982 so many of the poets looked so young. The poets ranged from Thom Gunn to X. J. Kennedy for the men and Nikki Giovanni to Cynthia Macdonald for the women.

I read this as a softcover book. It has 238 pages and was published in 1982 by Aladdin.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hm. Sort of dated... for example smoke from an ashtray is meant to "signal warmth and comfort." Probably best for those of us who were young teens (the target audience) within a couple of decades before or a few years after the publication date of 1983 (especially if read with the older cover). And the poems that get notes are the ones that are easiest/ most accessible, generally. Some of the others bewilder me.

Also quite white and male, as evidenced by the photos in a sort of 'preface' design. No evidence that I see of people from outside the US, except maybe Canada.

Still, interesting, much of it worth a read for someone like me who is trying to educate herself in lieu of a good class or course in poetry.

Objectively, that is to say, maybe a three star read. But I didn't mark one bit worth sharing here, or worth remembering, so two stars for me.

Oh, except, it's not Juvenile, as my library marked it, but YA. There's a poem on rape that's much too intense for children or for those sensitive to 'triggers.'

[Liz B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Janeczko is an excellent anthologist and I've been impressed with all of his anthologies I've browsed through; this one, however, is my favorite. Poems are interspersed with commentaries from the poets about writing--most often about the poem itself, but also about poetry writing in general. Several poems make this an "all time favorite" selection, but particuarly Peter Meinke's "Elegy for a Diver."

[Hailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not a fan of poetry type books like this but I thought that the poems in this book were descriptive and I also liked how after a few of the poems, it would go on and talk about how the author came up with that poem and the significance of it, to them.