Purling Sonnets by Richard Kostelanetz

Purling Sonnets

Richard Kostelanetz

Pressa :S: Press

2011 $6.00




"crummy

mummy

mumps

chumps

chummy

slummy

slumber

number

numbness

dumbness

dumbbell

cowbell

cowardice

genesis"




Kostelanetz shakes the numbness out of the reader; he creates

meaning by listing, beating the rythm to a 'genesis'. The above

illustration of his sonnet, XVI, calls for explanation and we the reader

are often given silence between meaning and implication: each

word implicates its meaning: each word sways into the next: every

time the list is read, the reader may associate with experience;

experiences from their own perspective as well as linguistic experience.

For instance: crummy begine the sonnet above; the word, genesis,

completes the song...crummy means distastful. The crumbs have

fallen from the scone and one must wet their fingers to pick-up

what has fallen. May i suggest, this action may offend the upper

crust (my definition of crummy). Genesis:='s the first book in the

bible: beginnings. Kostelanetz choses to juctapose words that have

some derogatory meanings in this particular poem. He suggests;

yet if genesis were capitilized it would have a different implication

...genesis, noun / je-na-sas/: the origin. From the greek gignesthai,

to be born. Genesis circles back to/or with the first words in the

sonnet; crummy, mummy. Crummy:= 2. Very poor...first used in 1567.




One need not deconstruct the meaning of a poem to appreciate its

image. This chap book speaks; its simplicity defines the original intent

of the word's worth, the worth of each word is determined by knowledge

and by conversation. With dialog, the poems clarify and reveal without

having to explain (as i have done):




“person

worsen

workaday

everyday

everything

something

summary

mammory

mammon

salon

saliva

diver

diurnal

maternal”




These are some of the best minimal poems i've read, the poems relate

in mature, succinct, often ironic tones amuse and open the summary

of 'wiseacre', reminding us to clap as we read .




Irene Koronas

Poetry Editor:

Wilderness House Literary Review

Reviewer:

Ibbetson Street Press