Death of a Naturalist – Seamus Heaney
Heaney offers to the reader a vivid glimpse into the life of rural Ireland. The poems speak to relationships with his father and the land.
The Far Field – Theodore Roethke
Roethke, in his final book, reaches a level of sound, rhythm and meaning rarely surpassed. His poems feel tortured, but visually exciting.
Chronic – D.A. Powell
Powell writes in long-lined flourishes with strong imagery, digging deeply into loss, beauty, and humor.
Shoulda Been Jimi Savannah – Patricia Smith
Smith, coming up in the slam community of Chicago, captures the spontaneity and improvisational voice of the genre, while paying careful attention to craft. Her persona poems are spectacular.
Olio – Tyehimba Jess
Jess created a vast, poetic masterpiece. The breadth of voice reaches far back into history, engaging the reader in a complex, nuanced experiment.
Tige DeCoster is a poet, professional bassist, music teacher, and recording artist living in Seattle. His poetry has been published in 5th Wednesday Journal, Crab Creek Review, Malpais Review, Fly South, Calliope, and others. He has been a touring and recording musician for twenty years, was a recipient of a 2009 Fulbright scholarship for music, and the 2016 Joan Grayston Poetry Prize. decostertige@gmail.com