Tumbling for Amateurs

Tumbling for Amateurs is a reimagining of James Tayloe Gwathmeys 1910 book of the same name, published as part of Spaldings Athletic Library. It combines poems about the amateurishness of being human with illustrations based on drawings from the source text. The poems explore experimentation with form and text, searching for an emotional connection in bodies, movement, and desire. Matthew Gwathmey's poetry employs a stripped-down, athletic language to give shape to what must remain nameless. The book offers multiple ways to read and engage with the text, encouraging readers to explore the relationship between poetry and physicality.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 02 November 2023
Publisher: Coach House Books

Tumbling for Amateurs is a captivating reimagining of James Tayloe Gwathmeys 1910 book of the same name, originally published as part of Spaldings Athletic Library. This captivating collection features a series of verse poems accompanied by corresponding recto illustrations, all drawn from the original source text. Inspired by William Blakes Songs of Innocence and of Experience, word and image seamlessly blend together, creating a rich tapestry that transcends mere instruction.

Tumbling serves as a metaphor for life itself, reminding us of our inherent amateurishness. Within these poems, experimentation abounds, employing an array of poetic forms such as anaphoras, list sonnets, erasures, palimpsests, and concrete poems. These diverse techniques draw from the limited vocabulary and central focus on acrobatics and gymnastics found in tumbling, fostering a profound exploration of form and text.

At its core, Tumbling for Amateurs seeks to establish an emotional connection, even when it may be elusive. Through the exploration of bodies, movement, and desire, Matthew Gwathmeys poems transport us to the present, challenging us to push our physical and mental limits. His poetry eschews lyrical excess in favor of a stripped-down, athletic language that gives shape to the unnamable, capturing the essence of human experience.

There are countless ways to engage with Tumbling for Amateurs, inviting readers to immerse themselves in its poetic world. By engaging in a toe-to-toe dialogue with these poems, readers can strengthen their grasp on the art of poetry and discover new dimensions of its power. John Barton, the author of Lost Family, aptly sums up the essence of this collection, stating, "We have no other recourse but to tumble into the amateurs of our lives, to test our bodies and minds, to find the poetry in the everyday."

In conclusion, Tumbling for Amateurs is a remarkable achievement that invites readers to explore the depths of human experience through the lens of tumbling. Through its innovative fusion of word and image, this collection offers a fresh perspective on the amateurishness of being human, encouraging us to embrace experimentation, push boundaries, and seek emotional connections in the face of uncertainty.

Dimension: 203 x 127 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781552454695