THE LAST THING: NEW & SELECTED POEMS by Patrick Rosal

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 Reading by Eileen Tabios

THE LAST THING: NEW & SELECTED POEMS by Patrick Rosal

(Persea Books, 2021)

I'd read all of Patrick Rosal's prior poetry books so I can't fathom why I didn't get to his SELECTED POEMS until two years after its release. But I did and I'm glad I made it. Patrick's SELECTED pulls of what a Selected Poems project should achieve: indicate why earlier writings were necessary but prove why a Selected is warranted. In this case, his SELECTED shows the greatness of Patrick's poetic prowess -- the sum, here, is much greater than merely a combination of its parts. What some call the "arc" here is a powerful, moving mix of loss and desire. The "New Poems" section also indicate a sophisticated politicizing that should exist, and gives a glimpse into the humanity that created a great writer (the Preface also reveals him to be a wonderful essayist). Many of the poems are (deservedly) long-ish so the two poems whose images I show below don't adequately illustrate the power of not just individual poems but the community of the collection. If you haven't already, go check it out. Sometimes, when I recommend books, I do so despite knowing a room for improvement here and there (yes a flawed text can still be recommended). For this poetry book--and it's been a while--my Recommendation is absolutely unequivocal.




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