Canvas

by James C. Morehead, Kari Byron (Illustrator), Alla Tsank (Illustrator)

In his debut collection, James Morehead paints powerful images of life, love, and loss through the thoughtful selection and careful placement of words. "canvas" features the extraordinary art of Kari Byron and Alla Tsank. The year 2020 and its pandemic-induced solitude inspired the poems that lead this collection. Most are autobiographical, in particular the title poem "canvas," and collectively form a fragmented memoir of memories and melancholy. Some are fanciful, like "tethered," inspired by a fleeting image seen while hiking the Pacific coastline. All strive to paint images in the reader's mind through the power of poetry.

124 pages, Paperback

Published June 15, 2021

About the author

James Morehead is Poet Laureate of Dublin, California and has published several collections of poetry including "canvas”, "portraits of red and gray", and "The Plague Doctor." James' poem "tethered" was transformed into an award-winning hand drawn animated short film, "dissolving in the gallery" was set to music for baritone and piano, and his poems have appeared on NPR, SF Chronicle's Total SF, Ignatian Literary Magazine, Cathexis Northwest Press, Beyond Words Magazine, Citron Review, Prometheus Dreaming, 2nd Place - Oprelle Oxbow Poetry Contest 2022, and others. He also hosts the Viewless Wings Poetry Podcast which features interviews with poets and artists.

"James Morehead's imagery is vivid, spare and elemental, and it is consistently chosen and arranged to achieve intensely poetic effects. The rhythmic control is impeccable." - Carmine Di Biase, Distinguished Professor of English, Emeritus - Jacksonville State University

Reviews

[David Kirkby · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this slim volume of poetry, James Morehead has given us fifty-two beautiful little tableaux—a full deck of vignettes, word-candies plentiful enough to be savored weekly for an entire year. Painted on this canvas are puzzles (“what is he describing here-oh!”) and pictures (“yes, I see it”) and people (“no, Evelyn, not another puzzle, go to bed”). Its place is as fluid as Morehead himself; both the cold winds of Canada and the warm breezes of California blow across and through it. Not surprisingly, this son of musicians writes poetry that reverberates with sound—the lonely warning bell of a buoy, the crunch of New England fall leaves, the ominous rumble of Boston’s green line, the rippling sound of his daughters’ laughter, and, in the distance, that plaintive Robert Plant arpeggio which plucks at the guts of an entire generation. Written over decades, Morehead humbly invites us to observe his journey through time. Read Crush, then Sunrise, then Beauty, and you will feel the whoosh of forty years passing in minutes. Wordsworth famously demanded that poetry be at once both stormy and still, and Morehead achieves that “powerful feeling recollected in tranquility” best when he writes plainly about deeply moving experiences long past: a girl he liked saying his name, his first—and second and third—drinks of alcohol, his cat dying in his arms, a bully’s hand over his mouth. These are experiences we can all relate to, and Morehead has generously distilled them onto paper so that we can safely feel them again and again.

[Fontaine Foxworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am blown away by the power of "canvas"-- subtle, evocative, clear. The author does a fantastic job relaying personal experiences in a relatable way.
Within a line or two, I could always tell WHAT each poem was about, and I found my body floating, cringing, smiling or a whole spectrum of other feelings as I transversed the experiences laid out in the pages of the book. I have not historically been one for poetry, but "canvas" has me thinking I should spend more nights with a hot cup of tea and a poetry book; curled up reading these poems have been a huge highlight of my last few weeks. Morehead is an artist with words, sounds, rhythm, and emotion. Bravo!
I wrote this review based on an advance reading copy that the publisher sent me.

[Zara Berro · Rating 5 out of 5]

canvas was such a delightful read. James earnestly uses his words to draw clear, memorable, and concrete images. I enjoyed how each poem provoked my thoughts with descriptive and vivid language, triggering many of my memories of similar experiences. The poems in this book remind you that life's simplest moments are what matter the most. What a fantastic read and a must-have in your book collection!
Note: I wrote this review based on an advance reading copy that the publisher sent me.

[Jenny Buccos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evocative, honest, and deeply personal poetry that explores every day life. James Morehead's first book Canvas perfectly captures life's joyful, sorrowful, and seemingly insignificant moments. His lockdown poetry beautifully expresses what so many of us have felt over the last year as the world was paused.

I wrote this review based on an advance reading copy that the publisher sent me.

[Irene Padnos · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading, Canvas. It was fun and uplifting to read. James Morehead does an excellent job of communicating his thoughts and feeling thru his poetry. Canvas captured my heart. I admire the effort and hope James will continue to write. I wrote this review based on an advance reading copy that the publisher sent me.

[Michelle Goddard · Rating 5 out of 5]

canvas was written for the Mindfulness era. If you are captivated by stanzas and can lose yourself in a story, you can be suspended in your own present time with each turn of canvas' page. There is something to be said for a book that helps you lose track of all space and time in this world of immense distractions. The author, James Morehead, takes us on a journey through several segments and experiences of his own life while being able to tie them together seamlessly through his use of observation. While Samarkand may be worlds away from Arcata, Morehead ties these two locations together with his childlike wonder and eye, peering at the newness of the experience. An object as seemingly innocent as a teacup can become the focal point that opens up a new world through Morehead's lens.

The pandemic's now cooling is a good reminder for us to be aware of where we were just a season ago. Morehead's observations early on in that historical period allow the reader to be transported back into our unknown world at that time; for which is ever so clear now that it is in the rearview mirror but was as thick as dense fog while Morehead was waxing poetic. Morehead captures these moments in a way that won't forget and can come back to reference in the times when we get disenchanted by the mundane day to day. A necessary exercise in life, in my humble opinion, and I'm grateful to have Morehead's work as a guide in it.

*This review is based on receiving an advanced copy of the book from the author.

[Lee Edlund · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of poems is accessible and relatable, but also at its best when going deeply personal. Many of the poems appear to be intimate glimpses into the author’s personal history (as a son, a father, a lover and a friend), indeed his very soul. The thoughts, emotions and fears expressed are universal, but do not seem to have been written for the purpose of finding forced commonality. Rather, James Morehead bares all with the hope, but perhaps not the expectation, that the reader will understand and empathize. In other poems, seemingly mundane details and passing observations are treated to an artistic lens and filter. There is certainly plenty here for poetry lovers, but this book also speaks to more casual readers who may be less familiar with poetry. I wrote this review based on an advance reading copy that the publisher sent me.

[Madison Hildenbrand · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed "canvas" from start to finish. The beginning construed very tangible feelings, with the collections reminding me a bit as if I were living through the melancholy yet odd comfort of what I feel when listening to The Cure's Disintegration (which I love, for what it's worth). The end opened up to more of "what can be" when one is no longer confined to life at home, providing a nice balance to the start of the collection.

The poems were very relatable and read easily. I liked how they could both make me smile and reflect. As I was reading "pieces", I immediately thought of doing an annual puzzle with my mom in almost the exact same manner the poem was written.

Overall, "canvas" is a wonderful collection that I see myself reading and re-reading over again. (4.5/5 stars)

I wrote this review based on an advance reading copy that the publisher sent me.

[Sofe Ring · Rating 5 out of 5]

This poetry book is magical. It’s relatable, emotional, thought provoking, and inspires me to look at days in a new light. The poet takes you back in time to their memories in a way that you're tunneled into their thoughts, feelings, and being. Going through their journey while also reliving your own. The book is beautifully written, designed, and edited. I would love for this poet to write my stories. Incredible read, beautiful in the hand, this will live on my bookshelf waiting for the poet to publish another!

[Kasie Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed reading canvas. James captures the reader in an emotionally relatable journey during a pandemic. His subtle yet expressive poetry conjures images of time spent navigating a new normal and opens himself up for the reader to feel and experience his longing of the past and the appreciation of the present. It's beautifully written and a book I'm sure to read again. I wrote this review based on an advanced reading copy that the publisher sent me.

[Philip Morehead · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a rich book, and I am not usually a poetry reader (and it's coincidental that the author is my son). The works from his school days I had read years ago, and I'm so happy to see him really get into poetry, because he has a real talent for it. The poems are evocative, sensitive and formally creative. They are also very personal. I think this collection should appeal to a wide range of readers. I look forward to his second book!

[Jerome Berglund · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gloriously personal and specific, and especially timely, crackling with urgence and immediacy.
The occasional rhymed couplets have a wonderfully melodic ring to them, and the recurring Escher motif really captures the zeitgeist of our monotonous day. The image also well encapsulates the individual works collected within, spanning an eventful lifetime and stretching across vast distances around the globe - Morehead has an especial knack for describing space and diverse destinations with a cosmopolitan sense of wonder and a keen ability to vividly capture sensory experiences - to create a self-contained microcosm, that conjures to mind a salt water taffy-mixer pulling and winding together sweet strands that shall remain lodged in your thoughts after setting it down for some time to come.

[Cassie Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounding up

This collection wasn't for me, but there were a few poems I liked. His travel poem about exploring catacombs and poetry from his visit to the USSR as a teen were enjoyable. I could have done without all the spelled-out sounds and repetition. It made me feel as if I were reading a children's book, and honestly I think that's what he should write next.

Poetry is difficult. Difficult to write, difficult to rate. Very subjective.

Clearly others found this moving, so the author must be doing something right.

Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Mona Radwan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Morehead’s debut collection is an incredibly enjoyable, relatable approach to the art of poetry. He shares glimpses of the frenzied mess the pandemic created, the havoc and uncertainty we’ve all felt over the last year, with a touch of eloquence and imagery that we can all understand. He’s included artwork that adds to the depth of his words and the combination creates a cohesive collection. I’m looking forward to his next work!!

[Philip Morehead · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rich collection of poems often of a personal nature, with imagery that grabs you and marvelous insights.

[Deni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Different, but good