Prime Time

Prime Time combines autobiography, travel, social commentary, and philosophical speculation in ways that capture the author's distinctive sensibility, his wry and ironic take on the incongruities of life in America that blends laugh-out-loud comic riffs and deeper meditations on the tragic aspects of existence. Beginning as a poet in the 1960s, with a long interlude as a novelist, literary critic, and historian, a decade ago William Heath returned to his first love and the results are four remarkable poetry books. The carefully crafted poems in Prime Time display the author at his mature best. . . . This book is a real pleasure, full of engaging poems on a wide variety of subjects, drawing on the poet's wide travels, life experience, and keen insight. There are thumbnail biographies containing little-known historical facts ("Diogenes" and "Tom Paine's Bones"), bemused social commentaries ("Men's Book Club"), interesting nature poems ("Killer Whales Attack Yachts Off Gibraltar"), and philological gems ("Lear on the Heath"). All poems use natural words in natural order, have memorable diction and imagery, and are rewarding on first reading. -David Stephenson The most entertaining poetry collection I've read in a very, very long time, offering a panoramic view of human foibles, our morals and manners. The ordinary is recast with wit and precision, providing a brilliant commentary on our strange circus of a world. Prime Time is stylish, but it's got some unstylish truth to it. -David Salner

Pagina's: 144, Paperback, Kelsay Books