Following from Charles Simic's assertion that "the issue for poets of any age is how to rejuvenate the lyric poem," Daniel Sumrall's poetry in the ...
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Nov 09, 2008
Peter
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Usually Gold Wake Press publishes poetry that doesn’t suck. The poems in “Well Enough” demonstrate a contrived awkwardness that leaves such a bad taste in the mouth. There is an acute soullessness throughout the collection, as if these poems were created by an automaton. This work feels like the albatross around contemporary poetry’s neck. Beyond pretentious.
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Oct 13, 2008
Emma
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My favorite of these five poems is "Adolescents in Western Wisconsin," probably because it offers the reader a finely-detailed sense of place. The images ("dim birds," "forgotten freight rails," "a litany of crucifixes") seem shaped by the poet's own sense of sorrow and boredom and wistfulness. I like poems that make me think and feel, but I also want to see. This poem has all of that.
The other poems seem more abstract and thus difficult to ent More...
The other poems seem more abstract and thus difficult to ent More...
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Feb 05, 2009
Joy
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When I asked Daniel Sumrall if I should write a review for his chapbook Well Enough at goodreads, he told me not to bother because people were either indifferent or hostile to his work. This naturally made me more curious.
Although I had a million and one things to do, I decided to read his poetry. Sumrall’s style is approachable and easy to understand. I’m not struggling to understand his meaning and can enjoy his intent, at least with the first poem.
His beginning poem begs the qu More...
Although I had a million and one things to do, I decided to read his poetry. Sumrall’s style is approachable and easy to understand. I’m not struggling to understand his meaning and can enjoy his intent, at least with the first poem.
His beginning poem begs the qu More...
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Nov 19, 2008
Robert
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Daniel Sumrall, Well Enough (Gold Wake Press, 2008)
Well Enough, a very short (five pages) chapbook, is in part saved by its brevity; after all, how can you give up on something that's only five pages long? That's short enough that one can suffer through even the worst writer without using up too much time. And Sumrall is far from the worst writer I've encountered this year (or, for that matter, this month). Still, he's not the best, either. The poems in this brief collection seem to More...
Well Enough, a very short (five pages) chapbook, is in part saved by its brevity; after all, how can you give up on something that's only five pages long? That's short enough that one can suffer through even the worst writer without using up too much time. And Sumrall is far from the worst writer I've encountered this year (or, for that matter, this month). Still, he's not the best, either. The poems in this brief collection seem to More...
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Oct 21, 2008
Abailart
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Well Enough
I approached these five poems slowly. I read them a few times, read them again a few days later. Finally I read them as carefully as I am able – slowly and aloud. I like them very much. I will give them five stars. But here’s a problem: I am going against the grain, others have rated them lower. I have no idea how to rate poetry. I think it ‘must give pleasure’ (Stevens) and five stars is simply my pleasure rating. I understand something of what Carlyle meant in describin More...
I approached these five poems slowly. I read them a few times, read them again a few days later. Finally I read them as carefully as I am able – slowly and aloud. I like them very much. I will give them five stars. But here’s a problem: I am going against the grain, others have rated them lower. I have no idea how to rate poetry. I think it ‘must give pleasure’ (Stevens) and five stars is simply my pleasure rating. I understand something of what Carlyle meant in describin More...
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Jan 13, 2009
Shannon
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I especially liked [As though it were the room:] and Adolescents in Western Wisconsin.
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Oct 09, 2011
Brian
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"Adolescents in Western Wisconsin" is the most rewarding of the five poems. Through his imagery we take a trip with Daniel back in time and learn a little more about him. All that is missing is his suggestion for a soundtrack to play in the background.
The second part of "When rooms take on their own scent" makes one think of all we have accomplished with science living on the "sphere" of Earth, yet how can we take those rules and apply them to somethin More...
The second part of "When rooms take on their own scent" makes one think of all we have accomplished with science living on the "sphere" of Earth, yet how can we take those rules and apply them to somethin More...
Dec 07, 2008
Michelle
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I liked the first couple of poems best, and the author is super hot!
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Oct 14, 2008
Juliet
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2 1/2 stars for me.
My favorite of the batch is the 5th poem, which struck me as more resonant and well-crafted than the others.
My favorite of the batch is the 5th poem, which struck me as more resonant and well-crafted than the others.
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