Day 11 brings us “Knowledge,” a poem by David Horowitz, poet and publisher of Rose Alley Press.

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE POEM

One of David’s gifts as a poet is shedding light on the subtleties and unspoken dramas that pepper and punctuate our lives. His tact and ear are on display in “Knowledge,” a poem that brings us in for a close-up examination, but, instead of making assumptions, allows us to paint the picture of the face and life into which we’re peering.

Knowledge

On elevators he won’t chat. Who knows
Who’s listening. In restaurants, at dinner,
It’s golf and basketball, films, who’s a winner
And why. It’s never business, though. Who knows

Who’s listening. His cowl of courtesy
And cross-armed grin hint caution, for who knows
Who’s listening. And e-mail, too: who knows
Who watches, reads. He guards each word he’ll say

And fences off his trust. That’s years away
For best friends. Wife alone he’ll kiss, embrace,
But never tell. Who knows? Her trusting face
Could mask. Talk sports, lawns, food? He’s social grace,

But business locks his mouth. For wife, a rose
And kiss tonight. And talk of her job, clothes.

**

A Poet a Day is a month-long celebration of poets and poetry, in honor of National Poetry Month. Writers reserve all rights to their work, and all work appears with their permission.

**

Seattle poet and publisher, David Horowitz, will lead a discussion on rhyme this Monday, 7/27 at Looking Glass Books in Portland. David’s a wonderfully gifted poet and citizen of poetry, and it’s a pleasure to know he’ll be spending some time in the Rose City.

David’s discussion will focus on using unpredictable, compelling rhyme, and how subtle changes of perspective on rhyme can help writers recognize its potential to subvert expectation, deepen meaning, and sound completely contemporary. He will also address issues of meter and rhythm.

Visit Rose Alley Press, David’s imprint, to learn more about his work. He has also been a guest writer on the site, and has contributed his time in way of an interview.

ABOUT THE EVENT

Improve Your Rhyming, or How to Avoid the “Moon/June, True/Blue” Syndrome

• When: Monday, July 27, 7 p.m.
• Where: Looking Glass Bookstore (7983 Southeast 13th Avenue, Portland)

ABOUT DAVID HOROWITZ

DAVID D. HOROWITZ founded and manages Rose Alley Press, which primarily publishes books featuring Pacific Northwest rhymed metrical poetry. His new poetry collection, from Rose Alley Press, is Stars Beyond the Battlesmoke. Other collections, from Rose Alley, include Wildfire, Candleflame; Resin from the Rain; and Streetlamp, Treetop, Star. Many of his poems have been published in fine literary journals, such as The Lyric, Candelabrum, and The New Formalist. Some of his recent essays have appeared in Exterminating Angel and the IBPA Independent, a journal specializing in helping small press publishers. In 2005, David won the PoetsWest Achievement Award. In 2007, he edited, as well as published, the Rose Alley Press anthology: Limbs of the Pine, Peaks of the Range. David gives frequent readings in and around Seattle, where he lives.

I’m very excited to be part of the upcoming NW POETRY PUBLISHERS’ FORUM, featuring Northwest writers DAVID BIESPIEL, KIRSTEN RIAN, STEPHANIE LENOX, JEREMY HALINEN, DAVID HOROWITZ, and PAUL HUNTER. The evening is part of MIMI ALLIN’S ongoing poetry and performance art series at the Phinney Center in Seattle. I’ll be the ultimate fly on the wall with these great writers, serving as the evening’s facilitator.

Date: Feb 27th, 2009
Time: 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Place: The Phinney Center
Cost: requested donation of $5-$10

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