Uncommon Core: Contemporary poems for learning and living

by neutral zone

Poetry anthology.

377 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Michael P. · Rating 2 out of 5]

This collection did not do much for me, in fact, I was too often surprised that such drivel made it into print. Here are the approximate counts.

I wrote down the names of three poets who have published books so that I could read more. There are perhaps another half dozen whose work I thought was very good. I began reading every poem, but gave up on about half before I finished. Sometimes I read a little and sometimes I read a lot, but I think that too much of this collection is a waste of paper.

I was especially partial to the angry poems, particularly those by African-American writers recalling their encounters with thuggish white police officers. One by a man who lost his brother to such an officer was especially disturbing and moving. Way too many of the poems are really just lists. Look, it is great that you read Walt Whitman and want to emulate him, but emulate his great poems, not his pap.

I am glad I made it through this collection for the small minority of poems that are great and for the half that were worth finishing.