David St. John (1) (1949–)

American Hybrid culls a wide range of subject matter, as I suppose any good anthology should. Admittedly, I'm not a fan of the more experimental, in art or literature, but as someone beginning to get comfortable with the moniker of "poet" I wanted to learn more of the current world of poetry. Since this book stirred up a buzz when released, I thought this would be a good place to explore a larger evolving movement.

Some of the more experimental poems in this book lost me, and some I must add show more just never had me. I didn't get it. It didn't feel like poetry to me. I'm not one of those folks who needs meter or rhyme to make it a poem, but, like pornography, I know it when I see it (or hear it). That said, there were poems here I enjoyed. Some I didn't get, but I still left them with satisfaction. Ultimately, though , it did what a good anthology does best: it introduced me to some talented writers doing interesting things. Worth a look, and worth finishing. Don't give up on it just because you feel a little lost. Skip around between poets. Open to a random page. There is plenty of great poetry here. show less

The Auroras by David St. John is broken into three distinct sections: Gypsy Davy, In the High Country, and The Auroras. In this triptych of poems, “In the High Country” is flanked by the smaller sections “Gypsy Davy” and “The Auroras” but what ties the sections together is not a cohesive story as in Emma Eden Ramos’ Three Women, but a set of emotions ranging from unrest to pain and melancholy. Both expressions of a poetic triptych are effective, but St. John’s is a little show more more subtle in its attempts at cohesiveness.

However, within these subtle lines and images, there are real gems, leaving conclusions and epiphanies with the reader, like in “The Aurora of the New Mind.”

Read the full review: http://savvyverseandwit.com/2012/04/the-auroras-by-david-st-john.html show less

American Hybrid is an anthology of modern American poetry that blurs the line between experimental and conventional poetry. Each author’s section is prefaced with a brief summary of their work and career, which is helpful for the uninitiated. Accessible enough for those who prefer conventional poetry, but wonder what else is out there these days.

This anthology caused me to buy no less than 10 new volumes of poetry.