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Ergon
George Singer's ERGON is precise, delicate and fierce in its engagement with the world.
86 pages, Paperback
Published June 18, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 23, 2016
Also posted on Eva Lucias blog
Read an interview with George HS Singer
Thanks to Poetic Book Tours!
”Ergon” by George HS Singer represents the new category of modern poetry along with poets like Anne Carson, Meira Cook and Rebecca Foust. There is no doubt that George HS Singer’s poetry is intelligent, filled with extra poetic layers and at the same time, it shows diversity and takes up different themes and subjects which are relevant today.
I really liked the idea of Ergon being the heart of creativity:
“Ergon: The core function or purpose of something or someone. Virtue arises when the ergon is realized fully”.
This quote by Aristotle also emphasises on the fact that Singer carefully has planned every step of his creative output. Using quotes and references from classic literature especially helps the meaning come forward and I have always appreciated this element of blending ancient literature and modern literature. It always creates an interesting outcome and at the same time, the references and quotes are helping the metaphors, symbols and language stand on their own.
“To the sphere of celestial fire where the souls
of extinct birds are turned into gems
because it is a heaven of splendid light
and light nests in jewels”
(from the poem “Where They Go When They Are Gone”)
Especially this piece above is one of my favourite bits in the entire poetry collection, although they are many more to explore. With beautiful adjectives, symbols and a great deal of sensuous descriptions, George HS Singer gives us the need to wish to read poetry again.
It should be mentioned that this poetry is supposed to be read more than once. This is obviously a good thing because true poetry lets you forget your surroundings – it simply lets you dive into another universe, in this case, literary. Singer’s writing style is advanced and the poet steps lightly and cares for every word in each of the poems presented in this poetry collection.
Blog ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ Youtube ~ Spotify ~
Read an interview with George HS Singer
Thanks to Poetic Book Tours!
”Ergon” by George HS Singer represents the new category of modern poetry along with poets like Anne Carson, Meira Cook and Rebecca Foust. There is no doubt that George HS Singer’s poetry is intelligent, filled with extra poetic layers and at the same time, it shows diversity and takes up different themes and subjects which are relevant today.
I really liked the idea of Ergon being the heart of creativity:
“Ergon: The core function or purpose of something or someone. Virtue arises when the ergon is realized fully”.
This quote by Aristotle also emphasises on the fact that Singer carefully has planned every step of his creative output. Using quotes and references from classic literature especially helps the meaning come forward and I have always appreciated this element of blending ancient literature and modern literature. It always creates an interesting outcome and at the same time, the references and quotes are helping the metaphors, symbols and language stand on their own.
“To the sphere of celestial fire where the souls
of extinct birds are turned into gems
because it is a heaven of splendid light
and light nests in jewels”
(from the poem “Where They Go When They Are Gone”)
Especially this piece above is one of my favourite bits in the entire poetry collection, although they are many more to explore. With beautiful adjectives, symbols and a great deal of sensuous descriptions, George HS Singer gives us the need to wish to read poetry again.
It should be mentioned that this poetry is supposed to be read more than once. This is obviously a good thing because true poetry lets you forget your surroundings – it simply lets you dive into another universe, in this case, literary. Singer’s writing style is advanced and the poet steps lightly and cares for every word in each of the poems presented in this poetry collection.
Blog ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ Youtube ~ Spotify ~
September 3, 2017
George HS Singer’s poetry collection, Ergon, is impressive in its use of language. Singer does a great job painting portraits of various people and bringing to life glimpses of the ordinary through his poems.
I knew the poetry within these pages would be profound as soon as I saw that the collection opened with the definition of “ergon” according to Aristotle: “The core function or purpose of something or someone. Virtue arises when the ergon is realized fully.” Right away I new these would be poems best suited for multiple readings, but thankfully I was able to glean some meaning just reading through them one time.
Singer’s use of imagery really stood out to me in “Tiny Fish,” particularly in these lines:
"My wife stroked his feet, (no bigger than a doll’s).
Small hands opened as if to wave and soon
curled and closed like the tendrils of a sea anemone."
(page 28)
His ability to tell stories in just a handful of lines comes through best in the title poem, “Ergon”:
"Neither did
my sorrowing angry father, not ever, not even once,
speak the names of his little sister nor of his
big brother, carrying this secret to his grave"
(page 35)
My favorite poem in the collection, “Our Quotidian,” shows the evolution of a marriage and brings to life the everyday tasks, monotony, and annoyances in living with someone so long:
"You vacuum, I mop.
I know your smell and you, my snore.
In line at the market, you lean into me,
Grazing my shoulder with the warm loaf
of your breast, I tap your thigh–still here,
together in the quotidian."
(page 54)
Furthermore, there were many observations that stood out to me in their wisdom, like these lines in “In Which He Explains Why He Bowed to the Dead Moth Stuck on His Door”:
"Death can never be more than a thought. Until.
Best then to make it a kindly thought."
(page 63)
Ergon touches upon many topics, from nature, spirituality, and life/aging/death to memory and the complex workings of the mind. But where the collection shines is in Singer’s detailed observations of life, from the animals that inhabit the world to everyday tasks, with hints of sexuality, humor, and a sense of peace.
Review posted on Diary of an Eccentric
I received a free copy of this book for review.
I knew the poetry within these pages would be profound as soon as I saw that the collection opened with the definition of “ergon” according to Aristotle: “The core function or purpose of something or someone. Virtue arises when the ergon is realized fully.” Right away I new these would be poems best suited for multiple readings, but thankfully I was able to glean some meaning just reading through them one time.
Singer’s use of imagery really stood out to me in “Tiny Fish,” particularly in these lines:
"My wife stroked his feet, (no bigger than a doll’s).
Small hands opened as if to wave and soon
curled and closed like the tendrils of a sea anemone."
(page 28)
His ability to tell stories in just a handful of lines comes through best in the title poem, “Ergon”:
"Neither did
my sorrowing angry father, not ever, not even once,
speak the names of his little sister nor of his
big brother, carrying this secret to his grave"
(page 35)
My favorite poem in the collection, “Our Quotidian,” shows the evolution of a marriage and brings to life the everyday tasks, monotony, and annoyances in living with someone so long:
"You vacuum, I mop.
I know your smell and you, my snore.
In line at the market, you lean into me,
Grazing my shoulder with the warm loaf
of your breast, I tap your thigh–still here,
together in the quotidian."
(page 54)
Furthermore, there were many observations that stood out to me in their wisdom, like these lines in “In Which He Explains Why He Bowed to the Dead Moth Stuck on His Door”:
"Death can never be more than a thought. Until.
Best then to make it a kindly thought."
(page 63)
Ergon touches upon many topics, from nature, spirituality, and life/aging/death to memory and the complex workings of the mind. But where the collection shines is in Singer’s detailed observations of life, from the animals that inhabit the world to everyday tasks, with hints of sexuality, humor, and a sense of peace.
Review posted on Diary of an Eccentric
I received a free copy of this book for review.
September 7, 2016
Ergon is a book of poems about a man looking back on, and going through, life. There are some very deep, meaningful poems in this collection. I found myself getting lost among the words and imagery as I read. There are so many wonderful poems here, but I found this one to be my favorite, as it speaks of the sacrifices parents make, and the great love and protectiveness they feel, for their children. As a mom, I can relate.
World Without End
While she lingered at the handsome
neighbor's house, mother did what people do
when battered or bored or simply afraid.
And father did what young men do after
their wheelless bomber skids down
on desert tarmac while the crewmen
cry out their mothers' names.
They did what the dead have always
done--shouldered bricks on steep
ramps, obeyed the boss, cleaned
the children's ears with painted
fingernails, made do with hardened
bread and onions fried in chicken fat.
They did what animals do--hunger on their
young's account. Mother dished up nubbly
cow's tongue and father
a Motorola TV and blue Rambler.
And so that I too might do what humans do,
they locked the front door to keep love in
where it nuzzled and shielded, spasmed and flailed.
In this slim volume, through his insightful words, Singer demonstrates Ergon: The core function or purpose of something or someone. Virtue arises when the ergon is realized fully. Aristotle (Nichomachean Ethics, 1,7, 12)
This is a must read for all lovers of poetry.
(I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)
World Without End
While she lingered at the handsome
neighbor's house, mother did what people do
when battered or bored or simply afraid.
And father did what young men do after
their wheelless bomber skids down
on desert tarmac while the crewmen
cry out their mothers' names.
They did what the dead have always
done--shouldered bricks on steep
ramps, obeyed the boss, cleaned
the children's ears with painted
fingernails, made do with hardened
bread and onions fried in chicken fat.
They did what animals do--hunger on their
young's account. Mother dished up nubbly
cow's tongue and father
a Motorola TV and blue Rambler.
And so that I too might do what humans do,
they locked the front door to keep love in
where it nuzzled and shielded, spasmed and flailed.
In this slim volume, through his insightful words, Singer demonstrates Ergon: The core function or purpose of something or someone. Virtue arises when the ergon is realized fully. Aristotle (Nichomachean Ethics, 1,7, 12)
This is a must read for all lovers of poetry.
(I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)
June 30, 2016
With dignity and that slight irreverence that convinces you he's telling the truth, George Singer creates his rich, lucid poems about the core of our human condition, our Ergon. Moving, surprising, erotic and profound, Singer's poems take us around the world and through personal history—from the unexpected humor of daily life inside a Buddhist temple to the terrible inverted logic of a sanitarium for the insane, or from a sexual spark in a long marriage, to eons of geological time. Ergon marks the debut of a splendid poet with a sensibility that might make you more observant, and far lighter on your mental feet. A person could get wise reading poems of such warmth and depth.
August 26, 2016
Ergon by George HS Singer is a collection that will push readers to think about their lives, their place in it, and those who have influenced them. Those who have inspired us, and those we have feared — all have left their indelible mark.
Read the full review: http://savvyverseandwit.com/2016/08/e...
Read the full review: http://savvyverseandwit.com/2016/08/e...
October 29, 2016
This is a thought provoking collection of life reflections. My Rating 4.25.
Mr. Singer shares a wide range of life feelings in his varied topics: nature (birds, deer, tides, the beach and stars), childhood and coming of age, childbirth, family madness (mental illness), loving, aging and growing old together.
I have to admit that I received this book with certain expectations. Mr. Singer was a former Zen Monk and I was curious to see how that would be reflected in his writing. In my naiveté (rather than claiming my stupidity) I had focused on the term “monk” and not the descriptive “zen”. (A Zen Monk is a Buddist Monk so it was not what I expected.) After I started reading the poems I realized my error and had to eliminate my expectations so I could read the work with a different-- more open-- mind-set.
Some – well I guess all-- of the poems that I note as ‘nature’ have a life meaning beyond the obvious descriptions. They paint a picture, an image, and then made me stop to think about the feelings that were invoked. That, to me, is an enjoyable part of reading poetry. I enjoyed the cadence of the poems which has a gentle – dare I say, ‘zen-like’—meditative tone.
The selections are presented under four headings: Visiting, Ergon, Our Quotidian, and Immensity Although I enjoyed all of the work I think my favorites were in the third grouping. I had to look it up. Quotidian means “ordinary or everyday, especially when mundane.” This group of sharing addresses the memory of skin on skin that eventually turns to pains and groans of age, yet show a warmth of growing old with one who is loved. Perhaps I relate well to those thoughts.
The beginning of “Our Quotidian”:
I love you differently
now than when you were hot
and I sizzled---
The author explains that Ergon means "the core purpose of something or someone...". His collections seems to say that although it may be different for each person, there are many things in life and emotion that we share. Many of the poems reflect (in a gentle, sometimes haunting way) on wars, illness and pain, as well as love. The poems reveal events that are sometimes common and sometimes foreign to a reader but still have elements that connect us. There are surprising glimpses of reactions to tragedy in everyday events as in "After the Retreat" which tells of a doe hit by a car. Another poem that particularly caught my heart is "It Seemed He Swam" which shares about teaching a mute, palsied child and how the young boy learned to communicate his needs. This was very touching.
The poems are short and easily read in “bite-size” portions that are good for the mind to chew on. I recommend this to readers who might be seeking a book to encourage meditations on life shared in a lovely, caring voice.
Mr. Singer shares a wide range of life feelings in his varied topics: nature (birds, deer, tides, the beach and stars), childhood and coming of age, childbirth, family madness (mental illness), loving, aging and growing old together.
I have to admit that I received this book with certain expectations. Mr. Singer was a former Zen Monk and I was curious to see how that would be reflected in his writing. In my naiveté (rather than claiming my stupidity) I had focused on the term “monk” and not the descriptive “zen”. (A Zen Monk is a Buddist Monk so it was not what I expected.) After I started reading the poems I realized my error and had to eliminate my expectations so I could read the work with a different-- more open-- mind-set.
Some – well I guess all-- of the poems that I note as ‘nature’ have a life meaning beyond the obvious descriptions. They paint a picture, an image, and then made me stop to think about the feelings that were invoked. That, to me, is an enjoyable part of reading poetry. I enjoyed the cadence of the poems which has a gentle – dare I say, ‘zen-like’—meditative tone.
The selections are presented under four headings: Visiting, Ergon, Our Quotidian, and Immensity Although I enjoyed all of the work I think my favorites were in the third grouping. I had to look it up. Quotidian means “ordinary or everyday, especially when mundane.” This group of sharing addresses the memory of skin on skin that eventually turns to pains and groans of age, yet show a warmth of growing old with one who is loved. Perhaps I relate well to those thoughts.
The beginning of “Our Quotidian”:
I love you differently
now than when you were hot
and I sizzled---
The author explains that Ergon means "the core purpose of something or someone...". His collections seems to say that although it may be different for each person, there are many things in life and emotion that we share. Many of the poems reflect (in a gentle, sometimes haunting way) on wars, illness and pain, as well as love. The poems reveal events that are sometimes common and sometimes foreign to a reader but still have elements that connect us. There are surprising glimpses of reactions to tragedy in everyday events as in "After the Retreat" which tells of a doe hit by a car. Another poem that particularly caught my heart is "It Seemed He Swam" which shares about teaching a mute, palsied child and how the young boy learned to communicate his needs. This was very touching.
The poems are short and easily read in “bite-size” portions that are good for the mind to chew on. I recommend this to readers who might be seeking a book to encourage meditations on life shared in a lovely, caring voice.
September 30, 2016
My copy of the book arrived in the week before I left for holiday, and given it’s 86 pages long, I decided to take it with me. I’ve taken novels on holiday with me before and then after arriving home felt all sorts of bad about not having enough time to read more than a couple of chapters.
Well, Ergon was the perfect holiday read!
The book is composed of four parts: Visiting, Ergon, Our Quotidian and Immensity. They, in George’s own words, cover the themes of:
“The beauty, humor, and difficulty of living as a Zen monk.
Coming to terms with a very mixed childhood and its insistent residue.
My sense of gratitude for having found a soul mate in my wife.
My sense of the unutterable wonder of existence and that there is enough of it that can be taken in and joined with to keep from staying down after inevitably and repeatedly falling down.
the stars across the axis of the sky,
light enough to walk without stumbling.”
The poems aren’t too long, they can be read in a fast pace, and as you can see listed above, their themes are varied in complexity. I can honestly say I haven’t read a poetry book quite like this one before. The poems give the vibe of being written with such ease despite the depth and warmth carried through.
My boyfriend read some of the poems as well, we read together; and I highly recommend this book for any couple if they want something truly interesting to read and talk about curled up on the couch together.
Well, Ergon was the perfect holiday read!
The book is composed of four parts: Visiting, Ergon, Our Quotidian and Immensity. They, in George’s own words, cover the themes of:
“The beauty, humor, and difficulty of living as a Zen monk.
Coming to terms with a very mixed childhood and its insistent residue.
My sense of gratitude for having found a soul mate in my wife.
My sense of the unutterable wonder of existence and that there is enough of it that can be taken in and joined with to keep from staying down after inevitably and repeatedly falling down.
the stars across the axis of the sky,
light enough to walk without stumbling.”
The poems aren’t too long, they can be read in a fast pace, and as you can see listed above, their themes are varied in complexity. I can honestly say I haven’t read a poetry book quite like this one before. The poems give the vibe of being written with such ease despite the depth and warmth carried through.
My boyfriend read some of the poems as well, we read together; and I highly recommend this book for any couple if they want something truly interesting to read and talk about curled up on the couch together.
September 14, 2016
Singer is an absolute genius at incorporating nature and natural imagery into his poems. The phrasing and the tone and the pace of his words were just perfect to me. I also enjoyed his sense of humor, especially in some of the poems about his wife and married life.
One of my favorite poems from the book is "Reprieve" where Singer writes:
"Sometimes
mercy resides in the way things vanish,
and grace in not being visited."
In the poem he is referencing his father, but the sentiment speaks to me on a more generalized level about life. Sometimes it's good to forget things (or just not remember them, yes, there's a difference).
So, if you like poems about life, marriage, love, death, childhood, and just about everything else in between, I think this would be a perfect book for you! Go check it out.
One of my favorite poems from the book is "Reprieve" where Singer writes:
"Sometimes
mercy resides in the way things vanish,
and grace in not being visited."
In the poem he is referencing his father, but the sentiment speaks to me on a more generalized level about life. Sometimes it's good to forget things (or just not remember them, yes, there's a difference).
So, if you like poems about life, marriage, love, death, childhood, and just about everything else in between, I think this would be a perfect book for you! Go check it out.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews