The KGB Bar Book of Poems

A great intro to contemporary poetry. I say this because the KGB Bar Book of Poems is more than just a collection of poems, its a collection of photographs, and a collection of anecdotes. In some cases, the anecdotes outshine the poetry. Roberty Bly's account of taking a really small audience to a local apartment is charming, and Susan Wheeler's experience with a group of convicted criminals is melancholy and thoughtful. Additionally, the photograhs lend a great deal to the atmosphere in the book. The dark smokey inebriated interior of the bar shines through Star Black's trained lense. The poets and friends are always jubilant and inviting. While reading, you really feel privy to some special knowledge.The poetry itself can be a mixed bag. It brings to mind the maxim, "you can't please all of the people all of the time." Personal favorites for me are "Santa Monica" by Charlie Smith, and David Trinidad's "Of Mere Plastic", a funny but insightful take-off of "Of Mere Being" by Wallace Stevens. I suggest you by the book and read these two last. Each poet has a short bio before their poem, listing their publications and history, so its a great lead of to some terrific books. Find a poet you like, and dig into their back-prints. Indeed, people don't read enough poetry these days. And what's a better way to start than with this seemingly "underground" compilation?

This is an exciting book. It is a sort of chronicle of the celebrated poetry reading series at the KGB Bar in the East Village of New York City. The place is like a latter-day equivalent of famous 1950s bars like the Cedar Tavern. The book includes poems, photographs, and one of the things I liked the most, anecdotes from the poets. The book has charm. It has life. And oh yes it has poetry.

Reading "The KGB Bar Book of Poems" was awesome -- it captured the experience of being there. The poems are varied, but always interesting and sometimes spectacularly good; the anecdotes are fun, the photographs charming. A great package. Hey, Dave and Star, if you have an open date, how about a reading? My first book is about to come out.