Introduction to Silver Blade Poetry Issue 20
by John C. Mannone
Silver Blade is proud to present five excellent poets for your continued enjoyment of cutting edge speculative poetry: F.J. Bergmann, Bruce Boston (Featured Poet), William Doreski, James Hutchings, and Clyde Kessler.
Bruce Boston, a notable force in the genre, is our Featured Poet. Please read our interview with him here. The Boston series is a small cross-section of his prolific career. It begins with a new piece, “LIVING IN A WORLD OF GIANTS,” which contrasts the immensity of nature and the apparent minuscule-ness of man. “FOR SPACERS SNARLED IN THE HAIR OF COMETS” (Asimov’s SF Magazine, April 1984) is the 1985 Rhysling Poetry Award winner for short poems, which considers another giant—the vastness of space. “THE CITY AND THE STARS” (The Pedestal Magazine #11, 2002), a ballad-like poem, demonstrates how rhyming poetry can be deftly done with well-crafted slant end rhymes. “VISIONS OF THE BLUE CLONE” (Shades Fantastic, 2006) is a clever creation myth metaphor.
James Hutchings gives us yet another well-crafted rhyming poem, “TIME AND THE TRADESMAN” that addresses another giant of sorts, Time. It’s rhyme scheme is novel (aaad bbbd cccd) and has a ubiquitous, but not stifling, anapestic beat.
F.J. Bergmann’s “Primordial” show the power of love. This is followed by a gripping poem with religious flavor, “Appian Tombs” by William Doreski. Clyde Kessler brings “Blackbird Forest,” a sensitive and disturbing piece with surreal elements. Perhaps it is about posttraumatic stress from an encounter in Vietnam or Cambodia, perhaps not. You decide. And we close with another Doreski poem, “So Shipwrecked” that left me wanting to read more of his poems. Please enjoy this fine collection of poems.
John C. Mannone
Poetry Editor
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