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Rattle #55, Spring 2017
Civil Servants
The latest in our always-popular career tributes, Rattle #55 features a collection of seventeen civil servants—poets who have worked for various government agencies, including the EPA, the FDA, the CIA, the Census Bureau, and many more. Apparently working for the public produces a dry sense of humor, because many of the poems lean sardonic. These poets are also smart and down-to-earth, and just may restore your faith in bureaucracy. In the conversation section, Alan Fox talks to formalist and translator A.M. Juster, also known as Michael Astrue, who served as Commissioner of the Social Security Administration.
The winter issue also includes 21 poets in an eclectic open section, highlighted by haiku poets Penny Harter and Michael Dylan Welch, and former U.S. Poet Laureate Ted Kooser.
The latest in our always-popular career tributes, Rattle #55 features a collection of seventeen civil servants—poets who have worked for various government agencies, including the EPA, the FDA, the CIA, the Census Bureau, and many more. Apparently working for the public produces a dry sense of humor, because many of the poems lean sardonic. These poets are also smart and down-to-earth, and just may restore your faith in bureaucracy. In the conversation section, Alan Fox talks to formalist and translator A.M. Juster, also known as Michael Astrue, who served as Commissioner of the Social Security Administration.
The winter issue also includes 21 poets in an eclectic open section, highlighted by haiku poets Penny Harter and Michael Dylan Welch, and former U.S. Poet Laureate Ted Kooser.
- GenresPoetry
93 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2017
1 person want to read
About the author
The Rattle Foundation
97 books7 followersRattle is a publication of the Rattle Foundation, an independent 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the practice of poetry, and is not affiliated with any other organization.
Alan C. Fox is its founder.
Alan C. Fox is its founder.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 3, 2017
Wonderful!
June 1, 2017
Favourites:
The Sick Bat by Ted Kooser: I enjoyed the story behind this poem i.e. inspired by an unfortunate incident in which the writer was bitten by a rabid bat.
Dear Body by Shireen Madon: unapologetically badass and beautiful.
To Her Husband for Beating Her by Gwerful Mechain: a 15th century feminist poem translated from Welsh, surprising and fierce.
Traveler by Sarah Satterlee: "when it comes to disappointment I've got it in my bag,/ I carry it from the store/ in pieces, walk home in darkness, shut the door,/ sit at the table, assemble it, smooth my hands/ over the undulating spine./ It looks up at me, I feed it/ and it sleeps in my lap."
I Stole a Day by Bob Sawyer: clever wordplay about literally what the title suggests.
Poems by Lisa Badner: I really enjoyed how her humorous poems were real life reflections of her experiences of being a judge in the courtroom.
The Man Peeling Sweet Potatoes on Easter Morning by Bruce Niedt: a really sweet poem about how a man is helping his wife cook for Easter.
Conversation with A. M. Juster: Interesting insights on how poems in other languages are translated into English.
The Sick Bat by Ted Kooser: I enjoyed the story behind this poem i.e. inspired by an unfortunate incident in which the writer was bitten by a rabid bat.
Dear Body by Shireen Madon: unapologetically badass and beautiful.
To Her Husband for Beating Her by Gwerful Mechain: a 15th century feminist poem translated from Welsh, surprising and fierce.
Traveler by Sarah Satterlee: "when it comes to disappointment I've got it in my bag,/ I carry it from the store/ in pieces, walk home in darkness, shut the door,/ sit at the table, assemble it, smooth my hands/ over the undulating spine./ It looks up at me, I feed it/ and it sleeps in my lap."
I Stole a Day by Bob Sawyer: clever wordplay about literally what the title suggests.
Poems by Lisa Badner: I really enjoyed how her humorous poems were real life reflections of her experiences of being a judge in the courtroom.
The Man Peeling Sweet Potatoes on Easter Morning by Bruce Niedt: a really sweet poem about how a man is helping his wife cook for Easter.
Conversation with A. M. Juster: Interesting insights on how poems in other languages are translated into English.
May 7, 2017
Two favorites from this one:
I Tell Death, Eventually by Jennifer Perrine
Whiteout by William Trowbridge
Also liked the Conversation and, as always, the Contributor Notes.
I'm ready for the next one to arrive in the mailbox!
I Tell Death, Eventually by Jennifer Perrine
Whiteout by William Trowbridge
Also liked the Conversation and, as always, the Contributor Notes.
I'm ready for the next one to arrive in the mailbox!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews