Indigo Bunting

by Bernadette Mayer

Poetry. New work from one of the best known contemporary American poets. "I have a book full of beds but I'm not scared/ Now I wont write the poem about sleeplessness since/ I cant sleep again even with Dash who sleeps so well/ & I wont about dreaming that sleep is 1/3 Egg St./ Or about dreaming I finally got some sleep, I wont I cant come tonight" - from "On Sleep."

Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Bernadette Mayer (born May 12, 1945) is an American poet, writer, and visual artist associated with both the Language poets and the New York School. Mayer's record-keeping and use of stream-of-consciousness narrative are two trademarks of her writing, though she is also known for her work with form and mythology. In addition to the influence of her textual-visual art and journal-keeping, Mayer's poetry is widely acknowledged as some of the first to speak accurately and honestly about the experience of motherhood. Mayer edited the journal 0 TO 9 with Vito Acconci, and, until 1983, United Artists books and magazines with Lewis Warsh. Mayer taught at the New School for Social Research, where she earned her degree in 1967, and, during the 1970s, she led a number of workshops at the Poetry Project at St. Mark's Church in New York. From 1980 to 1984, Mayer served as director of the Poetry Project, and her influence in the contemporary avant-garde is felt widely, with writers like Kathy Acker, Charles Bernstein, John Giorno, and Anne Waldman having sat in on her workshops.

(from Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Valerie Valentine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beneath the surface stories of urban scenery lies a search for meaning amidst regular landmarks: coffee, shoes, bags, jobs, and, a touchstone for Mayer, the sonnet, she still plugs away at that old form, making it new every time.

As with any art on the fringes, there’s a frustration due to lack of recognition, which Mayer has not resigned herself to. Demoralized in a warring, greedy world, Mayer seeks to elevate existence, rather than acquiesce to the powers that be.

Full review here: https://heartoflit.wordpress.com/2020...

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

i'm in love with her again!