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Plain Sight
Long-anticipated collection by award-winning poet David Bergman. PLAIN SIGHT is an exquisite book of poems by David Bergman, "a post-modern master of the lyric narrative poem," according to Daniel Mark Epstein. Now in his 70s, and having lived with Parkinson's for eight years, Bergman offers up poems about aging parents, love, chronic illness, and friendship that constantly surprise us in their twists and turns, their verbal brilliance, and their wit. Ultimately, PLAIN SIGHT is a deep celebration of life in all of its pain and grace.
106 pages, Paperback
Published December 5, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 19, 2024
David Bergman's vision transfers to the reader his wonder at the world, his sense of grace, and his plain sight regarding his body's failings. Delivered in a voice both simple and elegant, these poems reward each subsequent reading.
May 13, 2024
I recently saw David Bergman at the Baltimore CityLit festival, at a session about publishing later in life. He was in the audience, and one of the panelists unexpectedly asked him to read a poem. The one he chose, "The Man Who Was Not a Robot," is a wonderful piece from his latest collection, Plain Sight, that prompted me to purchase the book.
This is Bergman's third book of poetry, and his first in 25 years. He has Parkinson’s disease, and his poems are tempered and shaped by the specters of aging and disease. He is a great storyteller, writing with clarity, wit, and a very distinctive voice. Reading through these often conversational poems, even though I'd only met him once, I could almost hear him reading them.
Bergman tackles difficult topics head on with humor and grace. A series of "The Man Who..." poems forms the core of the collection, and many are outstanding, including the aforementioned poem, "The Man Who Could Not Smile," and "The Man Who Knew Wonder." Other standout poems include the heartbreaking "The Memory Sharer" and the beautiful closing poem, "Grace."
Overall, this is a thought-provoking yet easy to digest collection. Highly recommended.
This is Bergman's third book of poetry, and his first in 25 years. He has Parkinson’s disease, and his poems are tempered and shaped by the specters of aging and disease. He is a great storyteller, writing with clarity, wit, and a very distinctive voice. Reading through these often conversational poems, even though I'd only met him once, I could almost hear him reading them.
Bergman tackles difficult topics head on with humor and grace. A series of "The Man Who..." poems forms the core of the collection, and many are outstanding, including the aforementioned poem, "The Man Who Could Not Smile," and "The Man Who Knew Wonder." Other standout poems include the heartbreaking "The Memory Sharer" and the beautiful closing poem, "Grace."
Overall, this is a thought-provoking yet easy to digest collection. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews