New Addresses

... definitely not what I expected when I first ordered it, but the book has grown on me some. It's basically a collection of poetic addresses from the poet to various aspects and times of his life. The one for "Carelessness" is my favorite at the the moment, but many others have struck chords with me as well. A good book if you're already a fan of Koch's work.

These poems are addresses to subjects and through them Koch in a sense not only gives us his ideas and attitudes about these subjects but tells his own life -story. I found of particular interest his poem on 'Jewishness' in which he really explains his changing attitude to this element of his identity. The 'poem 'in a sense represents a return to a subject long- neglected. And if it lacks a deeper connection with the religious meanings of Judaism it nonetheless is rich with incidents and perceptions. One of these relates to Koch's experience as a soldier on Leyte where he overhears another soldier say ," Where are the Jews" . Koch does not reply. This small part of the poem moved me. My uncle Larry Zeibert of blessed memory was another Jewish soldier on Leyte. He in fact was in the first Ranger landing boat in the invasion. Koch's poetry reveals great intelligence, and sensitivity. This is one of those books of poetry one can read and understand and learn from.

Easily Koch's best book -- and that is saying a lot. All the poems here are written as direct address -- the "you" in each poem is an inanimate object, place, thing, or event...allowing the poet to write deeply and freely about the important events in his life. In the end, you realize it is a kind of autobiography. "New Addresses" is moving, connected, funny, adventurous, experimental, free. It's a huge success. You should read it.

These poems are so witty and easily read that I almost made the mistake missing their depth or emotional resonance. It is only on the second or third reading of a poem like "To My Twenties" that a phrase like "What you gave me you gave me whole/But as for telling/Me how best to use it/You weren't a genius at that" did I really see the breezyness of that style emulates the ease with which those years in someone's life can fly by. I was moved.