Be With

In the first section of his collection, Forrest Gander includes a version of a poem by St. John of the Cross, followed by a long multilingual poem examining the syncretic geological and cultural history of the U.S. border with Mexico. The third section is a moving transcription of Gander's efforts to address his mother's dying of Alzheimers, which expresses a characteristically tensile energy and eclectic diction.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 80 pages
Publication date: 21 September 2018
Publisher: New Directions Publishing Corporation

Drawing from his extensive experience as a translator, Forrest Gander embarks on a captivating literary journey in his collection "The Art of the Commonplace." In the first section, he presents a poignant rendition of a poem by the Spanish mystical poet St. John of the Cross, evoking a profound elegiac atmosphere. Gander then proceeds with a lengthy multilingual poem that delves into the syncretic geological and cultural history of the U.S. border with Mexico, showcasing his linguistic prowess and cultural insights.

The third section of the collection is particularly moving, as Gander transcribes his heartfelt efforts to cope with his mother's declining health due to Alzheimer's disease. The poems in this section rise from the page like hymns, gradually evolving from reverence to revelation. Gander has been hailed as one of our most formally restless poets, and these new poems exemplify his characteristic tensile energy and a remarkably eclectic diction, reminiscent of the works of Hart Crane.

Through his poetic exploration of diverse subjects and his masterful command of language, Forrest Gander invites readers to embark on a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant journey. "The Art of the Commonplace" showcases his talent for capturing the essence of everyday life and transforming it into art that speaks to the universal human experience.

Weight: 126g
Dimension: 141 x 215 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780811226059