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Sun Bear
"Zapruder's poems don't merely attempt beauty; they attain it."— The Boston Review "Matthew Zapruder has a razor eye for the remnants and revenants of modern culture."— The New York Times "With dynamic, logically complex sentences, Zapruder posits a world that is both extraordinary and refreshingly ordinary."— BOMB Matthew Zapruder's poems begin in the faint inkling, in the bloom of thought, and then unfold into wide-reaching meditations on what it means to live in the contemporary moment, among plastic, statistics, and diet soda. Written in a direct, conversational style, the poems in Sun Bear display full-force why Zapruder is one of the most popular poets in America. From "I Drink Bronze Light": Great American summer lakes
right now I am flying above you
through a rare cloudless transparent sky
back to the city where it is always
cold even in summer
the round hole I press my face against
shows only a blue expanse
with white sails below
speckled exactly the way
the Aegean would have been
three thousand years ago
if one could have seen it from above
maybe riding in the dark claw
of a god who didn't care. . . . Matthew Zapruder is a poet, translator, and editor at Wave Books. He is the author of three collections of poetry, and his book The Pajamaist won the William Carlos Williams Award. His poems, essays, and translations have appeared in many publications, including BOMB , Harvard Review , Paris Review , the New Yorker , McSweeney's , and the Believer . He lives in San Francisco, California.
right now I am flying above you
through a rare cloudless transparent sky
back to the city where it is always
cold even in summer
the round hole I press my face against
shows only a blue expanse
with white sails below
speckled exactly the way
the Aegean would have been
three thousand years ago
if one could have seen it from above
maybe riding in the dark claw
of a god who didn't care. . . . Matthew Zapruder is a poet, translator, and editor at Wave Books. He is the author of three collections of poetry, and his book The Pajamaist won the William Carlos Williams Award. His poems, essays, and translations have appeared in many publications, including BOMB , Harvard Review , Paris Review , the New Yorker , McSweeney's , and the Believer . He lives in San Francisco, California.
- GenresPoetry
112 pages, Paperback
First published March 25, 2014
6 people are currently reading
233 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Zapruder
31 books117 followersMatthew Zapruder is the author of five collections of poetry, most recently Father’s Day, as well as Why Poetry, and Story of a Poem. In 2000, he co-founded Verse Press, and is now editor at large at Wave Books, where he edits contemporary poetry, prose, and translations. From 2016-7 he held the annually rotating position of Editor of the Poetry Column for the New York Times Magazine, and he was the Editor of Best American Poetry 2022. He lives in Northern California, and teaches in the MFA in Creative Writing at Saint Mary’s College of California. His forthcoming collection of poetry, I Love Hearing Your Dreams, will be published by Scribner in September, 2024.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 11, 2015
3.5/5
Funny and original, but too often spent searching for moments between the moments.
Funny and original, but too often spent searching for moments between the moments.
April 3, 2016
Poetry should not be lightly tended to...
Put the all of man or woman into it...
A pink, cotton candy sky belongs in Miami real time...
The word "expanse" needs excising from poems and done methodically...
The writer and reader cannot encompass it via flimsy words...
The great above is its own ruins, secrets masked, forever untold...
Winged creatures travel through the air swells, venerating velvet clouds...
Enough, I grow weary this review, but truly know this:
The only person in history, who came close to deciphering the sky...
Was Tennessee Williams, "Blue is the color of distance."
Chris Roberts, American God
Put the all of man or woman into it...
A pink, cotton candy sky belongs in Miami real time...
The word "expanse" needs excising from poems and done methodically...
The writer and reader cannot encompass it via flimsy words...
The great above is its own ruins, secrets masked, forever untold...
Winged creatures travel through the air swells, venerating velvet clouds...
Enough, I grow weary this review, but truly know this:
The only person in history, who came close to deciphering the sky...
Was Tennessee Williams, "Blue is the color of distance."
Chris Roberts, American God
June 1, 2015
I can see some people having trouble with the free, stream-of-consciousness writing Zapruder has. I find it beautiful. His poems give me life. This new book is no exception. I will probably read it until the pages fray and fall out.
May 9, 2014
Time is captured like a tangible object in Zapruder's poems
August 2, 2017
The metaphor that I keep coming back to to describe this book is nerdily musical: it's a bone-dry snare drum, the sound of the 2 and 4 on the System of a Down song "Toxicity." It's an exercise in trimming away everything unneeded, with its narrow columns and general lack of punctuation (Zapruder still loves to extend his images to breaking points, forcing the reader to hold their breaths & wait for the resolution until it's almost unbearable). It's a book that walks through alleyways and mutters darkly to itself under its breath, a book that is obsessed with the encroachment of technology and the inevitability of physical oblivion:
"We have broken the future of thunder.
Is it interesting or sad? There is no difference.
All children's books are now about death"
(from "How Do You Like the Underworld")
I loved Zapruder's previous collection, Come on All You Ghosts, because of the way it used humor and mundane thoughts as a carving knife, creating deeper hollows that could them be filled with deeper reservoirs of loss and disillusionment. This collection seems to lack that kind of groundwork; although I personally enjoy the poems about California (it's definitely a book that's more concerned with place, in general, than any of Zapruder's earlier work), it too often seems to create a self-suffocating miasma of doom and gloom, without a lot of contrast or relief to balance it out. Perhaps this is just a book that accurately reflects the time in which it is written, in which we can no longer rely on the push-and-pull normalcy of politics or culture. All the same, I feel like we could still use a boost.
I love Zapruder's poetic voice - he's the smarter, riskier Billy Collins - and I think he plays the role of poetic ambassador to the wider, largely uncaring word (via the New York Times and such) with a befitting level of grace and groundedness. I just didn't feel that this collection pushed his own abilities much further, nor gave readers many torches to carry out into the darkness. Maybe that's expecting too much, or giving Zapruder a role that he wouldn't ever want, but it's something that man of us still feel a need for.
"We have broken the future of thunder.
Is it interesting or sad? There is no difference.
All children's books are now about death"
(from "How Do You Like the Underworld")
I loved Zapruder's previous collection, Come on All You Ghosts, because of the way it used humor and mundane thoughts as a carving knife, creating deeper hollows that could them be filled with deeper reservoirs of loss and disillusionment. This collection seems to lack that kind of groundwork; although I personally enjoy the poems about California (it's definitely a book that's more concerned with place, in general, than any of Zapruder's earlier work), it too often seems to create a self-suffocating miasma of doom and gloom, without a lot of contrast or relief to balance it out. Perhaps this is just a book that accurately reflects the time in which it is written, in which we can no longer rely on the push-and-pull normalcy of politics or culture. All the same, I feel like we could still use a boost.
I love Zapruder's poetic voice - he's the smarter, riskier Billy Collins - and I think he plays the role of poetic ambassador to the wider, largely uncaring word (via the New York Times and such) with a befitting level of grace and groundedness. I just didn't feel that this collection pushed his own abilities much further, nor gave readers many torches to carry out into the darkness. Maybe that's expecting too much, or giving Zapruder a role that he wouldn't ever want, but it's something that man of us still feel a need for.
February 17, 2020
Being a relatively popular poet, though certainly not traditional in any sense of the word, I’ve tried to understand what gives Zapruder his magic. About half way through I noticed that Zapruder isn’t afraid to leave me with a zinger at the end of a line. As in this:
because my plans
are important to me
and I need things
no one can buy
and don’t even know
what they are
I know I belong
to this new dark age
Korea Pg 39-40
In his book On Poetry, Zapruder speaks about the importance of the ‘strange’, which is to say the unexpected. Look at the way he burrows from the mundane—whose plans aren’t important—through the things that can’t be bought—love, caring, what is it? We don’t know. So much for jumping to conclusion. What do we know? We are participants in “this new dark age”, which is a reflection on lines earlier in the poem which refer to war games in the Yellow Sea.
What is also interesting is how Zapruder grounds his poems in the quotidian. This poem is filled with references to the apartment he’s living in and food and garbage men, etc. His ability to move from this world we live in to the philosophical is remarkably well crafted: a confident poet who has chosen the tools he likes to work with and proceeds.
This is a small example of the depth of his writing. It isn’t my favorite Zapruder piece, just one that, because the words are simple is easy to explain. In The Pajamaist and Come On all You Ghost, Zapruder moves from a more surreal, otherworldly vision to his mature voice, one that spans the physical, philosophical and spiritual worlds. I believe poetry is a very subjective form of writing. There are a vast variety of approaches and sub-cultures. But through the haze of millions of voices, every so often we read someone and keep reading them. Zapruder’s that way for me. I just picked up his new book Father’s Day and am ready to crack the spine.
because my plans
are important to me
and I need things
no one can buy
and don’t even know
what they are
I know I belong
to this new dark age
Korea Pg 39-40
In his book On Poetry, Zapruder speaks about the importance of the ‘strange’, which is to say the unexpected. Look at the way he burrows from the mundane—whose plans aren’t important—through the things that can’t be bought—love, caring, what is it? We don’t know. So much for jumping to conclusion. What do we know? We are participants in “this new dark age”, which is a reflection on lines earlier in the poem which refer to war games in the Yellow Sea.
What is also interesting is how Zapruder grounds his poems in the quotidian. This poem is filled with references to the apartment he’s living in and food and garbage men, etc. His ability to move from this world we live in to the philosophical is remarkably well crafted: a confident poet who has chosen the tools he likes to work with and proceeds.
This is a small example of the depth of his writing. It isn’t my favorite Zapruder piece, just one that, because the words are simple is easy to explain. In The Pajamaist and Come On all You Ghost, Zapruder moves from a more surreal, otherworldly vision to his mature voice, one that spans the physical, philosophical and spiritual worlds. I believe poetry is a very subjective form of writing. There are a vast variety of approaches and sub-cultures. But through the haze of millions of voices, every so often we read someone and keep reading them. Zapruder’s that way for me. I just picked up his new book Father’s Day and am ready to crack the spine.
January 23, 2018
While on the surface, Matthew Zapruder's extremely simplistic style might come across as childish. But when you allow the content of his poetry wash over you, I, as a reader, found myself in awe of Zapruder's messages and his ability to convey a message with so little is the real art of Sun Bear.
After reading Zapruder's collection multiple times, I found the grand takeaway that even in the most unlikely places, in the smallest moments of our day, we can discover some greater truth above ourselves or the world around us. Life is a constant journey of self-discovery, as brilliantly explored in the titular poem.
Sun Bear, the poem, follows Zapruder as he passes the enclosed sun bear at the Oakland Zoo. In the poem, Zapruder fascinatingly moves from discussing the bear in its enclosure to global warming to the warmth of animal love. How Zapruder moves so fluidly between each topic is beyond me. It is a masterwork in the stream of consciousness style.
" In order to love anything
but an animal you cannot allow
yourself to believe in those things
that are if we don't stop them
going to destroy us "
While Sun Bear may flow as a downstream river, other poems seem to wander. Sometimes his over-simplicity, while it creates a signature style, can bleed into a pseudo-intellectualist path or a bland poem without any real meaning.
A once-over on this collection in many ways is criminal. Do not let any piece of Matthew Zapruder’s work wash over you or let yourself be mistaken by its simplistic storyline or word choice. It really is a beautiful piece to behold, despite a misstep in some poems.
After reading Zapruder's collection multiple times, I found the grand takeaway that even in the most unlikely places, in the smallest moments of our day, we can discover some greater truth above ourselves or the world around us. Life is a constant journey of self-discovery, as brilliantly explored in the titular poem.
Sun Bear, the poem, follows Zapruder as he passes the enclosed sun bear at the Oakland Zoo. In the poem, Zapruder fascinatingly moves from discussing the bear in its enclosure to global warming to the warmth of animal love. How Zapruder moves so fluidly between each topic is beyond me. It is a masterwork in the stream of consciousness style.
" In order to love anything
but an animal you cannot allow
yourself to believe in those things
that are if we don't stop them
going to destroy us "
While Sun Bear may flow as a downstream river, other poems seem to wander. Sometimes his over-simplicity, while it creates a signature style, can bleed into a pseudo-intellectualist path or a bland poem without any real meaning.
A once-over on this collection in many ways is criminal. Do not let any piece of Matthew Zapruder’s work wash over you or let yourself be mistaken by its simplistic storyline or word choice. It really is a beautiful piece to behold, despite a misstep in some poems.
November 6, 2018
I liked Zapruder's work in "Come on All You Ghosts," but this one didn't connect with me. It's been a couple of years since I read "Ghosts," and my tastes must have changed radically.
There are good lines in this book. There's obvious effort, mediation, and thought. However, Zapruder's lack of punctuation and style of spacing made some of the poems difficult to read. And I did feel that there were a lack of literary devices -- sensory imagery, mostly. I'm not saying a poem has to be written the way I like for it to be Good. I just didn't like "Sun Bear."
I would still recommend "Come on All You Ghosts" to anyone who wants to explore Zapruder's writing.
There are good lines in this book. There's obvious effort, mediation, and thought. However, Zapruder's lack of punctuation and style of spacing made some of the poems difficult to read. And I did feel that there were a lack of literary devices -- sensory imagery, mostly. I'm not saying a poem has to be written the way I like for it to be Good. I just didn't like "Sun Bear."
I would still recommend "Come on All You Ghosts" to anyone who wants to explore Zapruder's writing.
July 8, 2025
something about this collection brings me great joy even if many of his sentiments are a bit downtrodden (though not all of them). his writing style reminds me a lot of text messages from a special someone, which is i think why i have an extra soft spot for it on this read. his poems require a slowing down as you read them, given the odd line breaks, short lines, and lack of punctuation. i like the way his stream of consciousness works, and the way he pulls you into what is important to him. lovely work
November 13, 2020
Favorites:
Poem for Engagement
Korea
Poem for Wine
To Sergio Franchi
Poem for Americans
"these are as they say difficult times
but maybe all that means is we are changing"
"I placed a few nouns
in beautiful cages
then let them out"
"true ecstasy
would be to stand
above myself protecting
me as I turn
those sudden blessed
horrible corners"
"lately we have
to the store been walking"
Poem for Engagement
Korea
Poem for Wine
To Sergio Franchi
Poem for Americans
"these are as they say difficult times
but maybe all that means is we are changing"
"I placed a few nouns
in beautiful cages
then let them out"
"true ecstasy
would be to stand
above myself protecting
me as I turn
those sudden blessed
horrible corners"
"lately we have
to the store been walking"
March 3, 2018
I made it about halfway...these poems are bizarre.
As in...
“Beautiful pre-middle aged people,
Right now in the uncomfortable moments
Interposed between us and lunch
Together we sleepwalk
In the best interest of claws.
We have broken the future of thunder.
Is it interesting or sad? There is no difference.
All children’s books are now about death.”
WTF?
As in...
“Beautiful pre-middle aged people,
Right now in the uncomfortable moments
Interposed between us and lunch
Together we sleepwalk
In the best interest of claws.
We have broken the future of thunder.
Is it interesting or sad? There is no difference.
All children’s books are now about death.”
WTF?
September 1, 2017
I picked up this collection as an introduction to Zapruder's work, as I am considering reading his treatise on the form: Why Poetry. Although there were flashes of inspiration along the way, I wasn't moved by the writing. That being said, I am still eager to hear his take on contemporary poetry.
August 26, 2017
couldn't quite get through this, not my thing. too fluid for me to really wrap my head around. the cover is my favorite part.
August 16, 2021
#sealeychallenge
July 12, 2015
These marvelous poems sway with the sounds and images of an interiority that recalls, for me, the spellbinding voice of W. S. Merwin in his book The Shadow of Sirius (the Dog Star).
Arising from California's Oakland region, the trance-inducing language in Sun Bear is bay-dreamy, coastal-close but also ethereal as the Golden Gate Bridge, an eloquent slow-mo surfing upon the human heart & mind, a wafting medley of tones from both the Ongoing Now and the Ancient By-gone.
The striking orange-gold circle on the book's cover is an emblem distilling the fine silt of the poetry's many delicate and interweaving preoccupations:
1)Places of residence or departures (the sun of Oakland & Berkeley, the red disc of Japan)
2)Environmental worries (global warming, creature extinction)
3)Technology (the ''wondrous and contaminated'' cloud, the hovering all-seeing drones)
4)The Animal & Spirit Kingdoms (the Sun Bear, cats, wolves)
5)Romantic Love (golden rings, orange tulips)
6)High and Low Culture (orange basketball of sports. i.e., Golden State Warriors, golden theater of Vic Chesnutt concerts).
Reading these poems, I felt that Matthew Zapruder was allowing me to float along on his own cloud of ''little harmless loneliness'' that is reflecting, fleetingly, the elusive gleaming nuggets of human existence on Earth.
Arising from California's Oakland region, the trance-inducing language in Sun Bear is bay-dreamy, coastal-close but also ethereal as the Golden Gate Bridge, an eloquent slow-mo surfing upon the human heart & mind, a wafting medley of tones from both the Ongoing Now and the Ancient By-gone.
The striking orange-gold circle on the book's cover is an emblem distilling the fine silt of the poetry's many delicate and interweaving preoccupations:
1)Places of residence or departures (the sun of Oakland & Berkeley, the red disc of Japan)
2)Environmental worries (global warming, creature extinction)
3)Technology (the ''wondrous and contaminated'' cloud, the hovering all-seeing drones)
4)The Animal & Spirit Kingdoms (the Sun Bear, cats, wolves)
5)Romantic Love (golden rings, orange tulips)
6)High and Low Culture (orange basketball of sports. i.e., Golden State Warriors, golden theater of Vic Chesnutt concerts).
Reading these poems, I felt that Matthew Zapruder was allowing me to float along on his own cloud of ''little harmless loneliness'' that is reflecting, fleetingly, the elusive gleaming nuggets of human existence on Earth.
March 31, 2017
I take great comfort in the self-compassion of these poems. Reading them is like walking with Zapruder up a spiral staircase with an occasional glance backward, memory manifested by such objects of place as:
...the bannisterHe allows that while we may be flawed as we live our ordinary lives we can also "just be celestial"("Telegraph Flowers").
I threw a small wooden
turtle my sister
loved over ...
("Poem for Americans").
April 27, 2017
Meant to be read out loud and slowly. Incisive viewpoints of everyday situations and things. Deceptively easy.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews