Expectations

by Gary Beck

Expectations presents a bold new collection of poems from Gary Beck. His explorations of a ‘bankrupt civilization’ and society’s dependence on the cycle of consumerism make a reflective and at times uncomfortable read. Gary is unafraid to challenge us, our ingrained behaviors and our apathy as a society.
He conjures up the city effortlessly, the challenges young people face growing up in the modern world, bittersweet endings and new beginnings. This new collection examines the turbulence of life, in flight or otherwise.
Gary Beck lives in New York. His other works published by Wordcatcher Publishing include Blossoms of Decay and Blunt Force.

94 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2018

About the author

Gary Beck has spent most of his adult life as a theater director and worked as an art dealer when he couldn't earn a living in the theater. He has also been a tennis pro, a ditch digger and a salvage diver. His original plays and translations of Moliere, Aristophanes and Sophocles have been produced Off Broadway. His poetry, fiction and essays have appeared in hundreds of literary magazines and his published books include 28 poetry collections, 11 novels, 3 short story collections, 1 collection of essays and 2 books of plays. Published poetry books include: Dawn in Cities, Assault on Nature, Songs of a Clerk, Civilized Ways, Displays, Perceptions, Fault Lines, Tremors, Perturbations, Rude Awakenings, The Remission of Order, Contusions and Desperate Seeker (Winter Goose Publishing. Forthcoming: Learning Curve and Ignition Point). Earth Links, Too Harsh For Pastels, Severance, Redemption Value, Fractional Disorder and Disruptions (Cyberwit Publishing). His novels include Extreme Change (Winter Goose Publishing). and Wavelength (Cyberwit Publishing). His short story collections include: A Glimpse of Youth (Sweatshoppe Publications). Now I Accuse and other stories (Winter Goose Publishing) and Dogs Don’t Send Flowers and other stories (Wordcatcher Publishing). Collected Essays of Gary Beck (Cyberwit Publishing). The Big Match and other one act plays (Wordcatcher Publishing). Collected Plays of Gary Beck Volume 1 and Plays of Aristophanes translated, then directed by Gary Beck (Cyberwit Publishing). Gary lives in New York City.

Reviews

[Jim Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, do not let my star count override your judgement of content. More on the stars, counting, and my rating challenges later. Let’s get to the good stuff, Beck’s work.
What happens when a writer of strong opinions decides to take you with him into an experience? You get pieces like Abandoned, an ambush in the very first poem.
For social commentary, turn to I Sing My Land: “whose streets lurk pale men /awaiting black men /hated by shotguns.”
On the topic of war, Beck can be cynical, as in Recon in Vietnam, where we find this: “The Hollywood myths of fixed bayonets, /noble sentiments and thunderous artillery barrages, /didn't seem to help our guys much, /while those television grunts, black, white, hispanic, /were courteously interrupted by the network /and prevented from dying before the commercial break.”
What happens when a man sees a very special nude sculpture? In Kunstmuseum, Dusseldorf, this: “compelled me back so often that bored guards /trapped in shabby suits of suspicion /abandoned their conversations /and followed me from room to room.”
Another favourite here is Back to Work, which is a classic example of being led into an experience, and includes this: “creeping in to cover Denny and untangle Beth /then strip, wash, gargle, slip into bed, /molding the warm woman closer /much too excited to sleep....” There is no way I can really give you the experience of this poem with just a quote. Buy the book and turn to this page.
I have many other favourites in this work, but the above should give you a decent feel. Anyone scrolling for tiny carps can give up. There might be a typo. Now for the star count boilerplate.
My personal guidelines, when doing any review, are as follows: five stars means, roughly equal to best in genre. Rarely given. Four stars means, extremely good. Three stars means, definitely recommendable. I am a tough reviewer. I try hard to be consistent. With this collection Beck easily reaches five star territory. A bit like Frost, a bit like Crane, maybe a bit like W H Auden, but with his own distinctive voice. Extremely recommended.