August 2008 Front Page

this issue Poetry accepted submissions for this issue ... page 2 Reviews review of John Yamrus by Casey Quinn ... page 3 Articles resisting fossilization by Bernard Alain ... page 4 featured book Body Event Don Schaeffer Winnipeg, Canada Don Schaeffer established Enthalpy Press and has published 5 chap books including "Time Meat" and "The Word Cow and the Pig O' Love." ISBN series: 0-9687017 Recent poetry has been published in The Writers Publishing, Lilly Lit, Burning Effigy Press, "Understanding Magazine," "Melange," "Tryst," "Quills," and others. His first book of poetry, Almost Full" was published by Owl Oak Press early in the summer of 2006. He holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from City University of New York (1975) and lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba with his wife, Joyce. To obtain a copy of the featured book use the following link: Barnes and Noble A Review by Bernard Alain For a certainty the works of Don Schaeffer embrace the definition of contemporary poetry in both form and content, exposing real life in an aging diary that resists the sentimental edge, complimented by a style noted for it's psychographic nature and simplistic delivery. Don's poetry attaches itself to everyday events, breaking away from conventional three-dimensional views, extorting human texture, breathing soul. 'The Body Event' is a collection consistent with this standard and the artwork, the organization, the content all well thought out to provide the reader with the most optimal experience. The introduction was written by John Yamrus who praises Don's work and goes on to say this: "You can't teach this. Sure, you can teach the technical aspects, but you can't teach heart and soul and guts. You either have it or you don't." The following is an excerpt and one of my favorites, of the many which survive out of context, the captions alone sometimes as engaging as the content: What the Gunmen Said in a Dream When the gunmen came they told me now you live in my heart. showed me strange x-ray pictures of you. I asked them if they feed you well in my heart. 'The Body Event' focuses on the thoughts of a poet as a married life of 43 years draws closer to an end due to the fatal illness of his wife. The denials and escapes palpable as Don reflects, the text undressed yet sophisticated enough to provide an unique cross-section of perspective triggered by day-to-day events preceding the inevitable. Although I found the title of the collection too vague given the strength of the forward, possibly not engaging the reader enough, it is a shortcoming easily overcome by the content, the reward consistent with that expressed on the back cover, a three-dimensional view, rich with human texture. 'The Body Event' is an excellent value, accessible to the novice and will easily satisfy the appetite of more advanced readers, a superb construction from beginning to end. in the spotlight Ivan Donn Carswell Australia Born in New Zealand, resident in Australia, Ivan’s poetic perspective moved and matured with the 56 years he has written verse. In his words: “...verse was where I first sought release, and still is...” He recalls early efforts used as models for teaching, which had the salutary effect of changing his own style. Thereafter his verse took form from the poem itself, not classical modelling. The principle of emotional attachment given free reign, cosmetic surgery effected where necessary, remains his method. As a twenty year old Ivan published in magazines and periodicals however at the time he didn’t consider pursuit of a literary career, opting instead to complete teacher training, and later a lengthy Regular Army engagement. Since semi-retirement as an Avocado Grower ten years ago Ivan has written with increasing energy. He discovered many magnificent poetry sites whilst surfing the web and was himself discovered by website managers looking for contributors. Thus began the evolution. With positive feedback as encouragement he set himself a target of 1000 poems, with the distinct possibility of editing them into collections for publication, the finish line is not far away. Web venues: Poetry from the Orchard: http://www.igorevich.blogspot.com/ Famous Poets and Poems: http://famouspoetsandpoems.com/poets/ivan_donn_carswell Poem Hunter: http://www.poemhunter.com/ivan-donn-carswell selected poem Intimacy standing together in a crowded QR train with a brand new hat bought at the EKKA hardly equates to consuming intimacy yet when we got seats at Caboolture you rested your head on my shoulder and slept easily – filling me with that sweetness which glows unashamedly shy glances from the ear phoned lass with braces on her teeth confirmed she agreed by Ivan Donn Carswell