Historic Diary
Tony Trigilio
Blaze Vox [book]
ISBN: 978-1-60964-012-5
2011
“Oswald's 'Historic Diary,' which commences on October 16, 1959
the date Oswald arrived in Moscow, and other writings he later
prepared, have provided the Commission with one source of information
about Oswald's activities throughout his stay in the Soviet Union.
Even assuming the diary was intended to be a truthful record, it is
not an accurate guide to the details of Oswald's activities.”
-The Warren Commission Report-
Trigilio researches most-or-all the events that surrounded the life of Harvey
Lee Oswald. Some people remember the day president Kennedy was shot
in Dallas Texas. If the reader does not know about these events then this
book will inform and raise questions. My question is what is poetry?
I can place this book in an experimental category but some may find it
unconventional writing, that is, some may not regard the creative work
poetry. I think of this book as multi-poetic/investigative/explorations.
Trigilio melds imagination with factual information. The reader will
travel through poetic forms and factual elements.
The experimentation in this book is used as intellectual tools to expound
on what many readers may consider theories, or imagination, or cover-up.
I relate the contents to the poet Susan Howe who presented letters from a
library archive, as poetry. Howe did the research and then presented the
letters as is. The contents of Trigilio's book will intrigue and draw the
reader into a genre of poetry that is expanding its influence as a viable
way of presenting poetry, which makes it difficult to review since it is not
what one may expect of poetry. Trigilio presents events and the events
are presented as poetry. What I appreciate about his work is that he
manipulates his findings, making for a creative read.
“If something happens to...It was 1958 when...If something
happens to Richard...We drove the Skylark to Granville, Tx...
If something...It couldn't have been 1958...But how come
Tony doesn't visit his cousin Tommy, he lives in Chicago...”...
The above poem continues on for a little more than a page and is hinged
on repetition. Each verse or poem or page is full of explanations that thread
the poems together like an underground existence emerging in dead voices;
connections which seem to collaborate another world explanation.
“Marguerite Oswald
This is my life and my son's life
going down in history.
At grammar school graduation, I had the honor
of wearing a pink dress instead of a white one.
And sang the song “Little Pink Roses.”
I played the piano. We had house parties
in those days and a lot of gatherings-
and it was everything Marguerite.
I also played a ukulele.
.. .. ..
.. .. ..
Lee used to climb the roof with binoculars,
looking at the stars.
He read about astrology and knew about
any animal there was. I don't doubt
he studied the animals-their feeding habits,
sleeping habits, their secrets.
He could converse. At the Bronx Zoo.
That's where they picked him up for truancy...”
Irene Koronas
Reviewer:
Ibbetson Street Press
Poetry Editor:
Wilderness House Literary Review
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