The contemporary poetry of Robert Thomas

[Jozanny]

http://www.blackbird.vcu.edu/v6n2/poetry/thomas_r/index.htm

Full disclosure: Robert is a living, breathing friend of mine, and because I know him and his wife Cheryl, I will forebear and not post so much as a wee line of his work without permission from Robert himself.:p We have shared each other's published work, but he has been more generous with me, as I only occasionally develop marvelous gems that gain critical responses, yet Robert has been kind enough to give me the gift of both his collections.

He is a very fine craftsman, and deserves more exposure than he has received, probably because he isn't fully integrated into the contemporary academic loop, so I at least wanted to offer a post in modest accolade.:) :) :)

Since "The Blizzard" is available to read at Atlantic Online, and it's one of my early favs of his, I don't think he'd mind if we post about this one. I will quote the first four lines:


The Blizzard

by Robert Thomas

You'll never take off your blue cashmere
for me, your jade belt, or even your white
walking shoes that squeak like a nurse's.
Who are you with now, taking his pulse?

http://www.theatlantic.com/unbound/poetry/antholog/thomas/blizzard.htm

And now I have to read it again to remember why I like it:blush: , but this isn't just about my friendship with him. I know my style, I know his, and as modern as he is, he doesn't shed an awareness of classicism.

I'll write more later about his other titles, and see what I can do about permission to post one or two samples.

[Virgil]

Thanks for these Jozy. He's got a distinct voice. I like it. I haven't absorbed the poems fully, but he does seem to find the right images. I'll look him up.

I found some of his poems here: http://www.robertthomaspoems.com/

[Jozanny]

Thanks for raising the thread from the dead hon; right now I should scoot. I have about 10 days on deadline, and while I have no guarantee of a sale, I have wanted to take a crack @ this series for awhile. I'll see if I can reel my buddy in here. Know him well enough that he'd be abashed and flattered that I took the trouble.

His problem is not LitNet so much as that he is spread too thin; I am an unemployed invalid but understand the feeling! :)

[RobertT]

I'll see if I can reel my buddy in here. Know him well enough that he'd be abashed and flattered that I took the trouble.

Yes, here I am, abashed and flattered! Thanks, Jozanny!

[Jozanny]

Yes, here I am, abashed and flattered! Thanks, Jozanny!

And just how do I know it is you?:lol::lol::lol:

PS: I kind of like the graphics here despite myself.

This is a real poet here people. Only collections count, unless the fact that years ago I had a magazine issue devoted to my work and thereafter called it a chapbook is sort of a semi-collection, but not as fine as his.

Be intimidated, do :D!

[Jozanny]

Robert: (if this is really you :) )

I don't know that I am helping you out by doing this, but I mentioned you to the ever beleaguered Bob Small of Philadelphia Poet & Prophets. I have known him longer than my tenuous relations with Poets & Writers, in a way, since before Speakeasy I just wrote out subscription checks, dutifully.

Bob never made me a star; the late Alexandra did more there, but he is interested in you, should you ever barrel your way back east. I suppose I should put this all in email, and will, but I am on the run tonight. The usual public housing paternalism and I am a lousy disabled housekeeper anxiety--anyway, I will direct him to your collections. He is nagging me about a damn contract I signed already, meaning he needs fewer hippies assisting him with clerical work...

I know your time in suburban PA wasn't four star, but Bob is a survivor, has been around forever, and is unfailingly patient with my drama on wheels.

If you lurk anytime soon, there you have it.

[RobertT]

I'd love to do a reading in Philadelphia, but I have no idea when I'll be back there again. I just put our house guests on the plane in San Francisco heading back to Pittsburgh after a 10-day visit. Thanks for the support!

[Jozanny]

I just posted a lengthy reply and lost in. I never do know when my connection is going to act up, sigh, but you do deserve it Robert, and should perhaps post the link to your review in the Chronicle. I could make an effort to rewrite what I just wrote, but I will do it later. You may remember I used to post about Oliver in Speakeasy. I put him down shortly after my mother died, and my father's sister gave me two replacements who have cost me a small fortune. One is pretty, and the other is a psycho-mouser who is small but too spirited to be a good housecat, and they want to eat.

I will eventually reply to your email, but this (http://www.abilitymaine.org/breath/Sept08/jmaronelli.html) is the last piece I published for pay if you want to read it; I unwittingly developed a small fan base due to it.

Have to run now.

[RobertT]

Belated response but I really liked your piece in Breath & Shadow. You do have a way with words! A lot of people might talk about knife wounds, but only you would come up with a line like "the blade can only be driven but so deep before the neat processes of ecology take over."

[jinjang]

Mr. Thomas, it is an honor to meet you here in the forum. Thank you, Jozanny, also for introducing him and his poems. I missed the thread somehow. I read only a few and, if I may, I would say that Quarter Past Blue is my favorite of the three I read. I will definitely read more though slowly.

Thank you, Virgil, for the link.

Let me pick some parts that impressed me.

From Dragging the Lake



It’s not that unusual to meet someone who knows you better
than you know yourself, so isn’t imagination sometimes
more accurate than experience?
----
The forgiveness the dead extend to the living:
passionate and absolute.


And the whole of Quarter Past Blue strikes a cord with me.
I should be more attentive to people around me.

[RobertT]

Thanks, jinjang! Sorry to reply so late but I haven't checked in here for a while. I'm glad you liked the lines you quoted as I'm particularly fond of them myself!

[Jozanny]

Belated response but I really liked your piece in Breath & Shadow. You do have a way with words! A lot of people might talk about knife wounds, but only you would come up with a line like "the blade can only be driven but so deep before the neat processes of ecology take over."

Robert, I do so genuinely consider you a friend that I don't even know how to get the words out about the disasters I have been through this year. It makes my obsessive clinging to past betrayal look like chicken feed. The urge to flee within me is so intense it has replaced any other drive. I even thought about buying a ticket to SF because I know you're there.

I am afraid to be aggressive with this new notebook to get myself in a place where I can get back to work, but I have to bite my lip and pray that it will accept the drivers for my three year old printer and accept my attachment to Corel and that some force in the universe will give me an ef*** break and let me have my justification before my family buries me with my mother...

If I can get past my Medicare/landlord nightmare and secure my computer technology anxiety, then I'll get back to you. My emotional attachment to Speakeasy now looks like some charming arrest in development!:smash:

[Jozanny]

jin: I returned to add a your welcome, and apologize for the oversight. I have been through a lot, and Robert and I kind of have a past history, and I could use more friends like him (and Mrs. Thomas too, I would enjoy knowing better...)

But as to his art, Robert is a more conscious craftsman than I sometimes give myself patience for in my work, though I make it difficult for myself for reasons I won't address here.

But I am feeling a little better even without fleeing, though after this year, it is really time that I get out of Philly, somehow.

[jinjang]

That is perfectly alright.

Let me hold firmly your right hand with my left and say, "I am honored to make your acquaintance." I prefer holding others' right hands with my left to a handshake. My left hand is usually warmer and I like a firm hold.

I am glad you are feeling better though not completely resolved.

I always enjoy reading your posts. With respect, Jin.