The Attention Lesson

by P.F. Potvin

PF Potvin is a writer, musician, and ultramarathon runner who heralds from northern Michigan. He has taught at a variety of colleges and language schools in the U.S. and Chile. He holds a BA in English from St. John's, an MFA from Bennington College and travels whenever possible to support his writing. Discover his latest adventures at pfpotvin.com.

Genres: Poetry

Paperback

First published September 1, 2006

Reviews

[Michael Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

In PF Potvin’s poem “Less Wild, More Tiger,” the poet describes the early language of a newborn babe and the celebration that takes place at its arrival in the tribe: “Firstborn’s words come just after birth. They are not of human form, but guised in the gesture of an animal. And every time she shakes her fist the sun dies out as drizzle slants like lightning on the dancing people. Their chants become the clouds, fuming and echoing firstborn’s cry: less wild, more tiger.”

This excerpt, especially the line “lightning on the dancing people,” creates an image that represents Potvin’s work in its wholeness. Lightning indeed is the perfect metaphor for describing Potvin’s collection of poetry because it illuminates the effects of human experience, (his observations as well as his perceptions of the observed’s psychological landscapes)– the outward expression of inner conflict.

Potvin’s writings are a depiction of humanity at its root daily workings -- needs, longings, instincts, passions, aspirations, etc., whether they be financial, physical, psychological, political, social, cultural, etc.

Potvin shines most brilliantly and shows a skillful knack for observing, interpreting, and story-telling in “The Celebration Storm”:

Father took him deer hunting at thirteen. It
was his first time and he shot a spikehorn clean
through both lungs. When he came back carrying
the thrownshoulder dead, he was alive and empty.
Mother clapped his back, raised his glass to
the ceiling with an icy rattle, and told the clouds
to gather a storm in celebration of a man. That
evening the snow fell long, covering the house.
Drifts plowed up against the birch pile. I tossed
and my brother cried himself to sleep.

There is a famous ode from Sophocles’ tragedy Antigone that includes the verse “Numberless are the world's wonders, but none / More wonderful than man....”

The Attention Lesson manifests the essence of this in a magnificent manner, thanks to a thoughtful observer and resplendent interpreter.

(Full review of The Attention Lesson in MiPoesias,http://www.mipoesias.com/2007/parkerr...)

[Rauan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Potvin's voice is unique. a bit jazzy. a bit like someone with a really cool walk. a lilt to his step. and the poems are good. and with more attention, better and better.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a full review of this book by me, see the December edition of Open Letters Monthly here:

http://openlettersmonthly.com/issue/d...