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Alive at the Center: Contemporary Poems from the Pacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest’s vast and varied contemporary poetry scene is on display in Alive at the Center , a community-based anthology drawing from Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver, BC. A collection of more than 200 poems from a wide spectrum of poets, Alive at the Center is a cultural snapshot, showcasing the best new and established voices from these three cities. Three poets from each city came together to recognize the best work of their peers, curating a collection that explores the atmosphere, beauty, complexity, and personality of the region. As the inaugural project from Ooligan Press’s Pacific Poetry Project, this book embodies the Project’s mission to bring poetry to the people by making contemporary poetic voices accessible and exciting for everyone through community involvement and conversation.
- GenresPoetry
284 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2013
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February 11, 2016
This poetry anthology is the first in the Pacific Poetry Project (PPP), and covers poems from three cities, "sister cities", as they are called by John Sibley Williams: Vancouver, British Columbia; Seattle, Washington; and Portland, Oregon.
I picked this book up as a personal challenge to myself. Poetry has never been pleasure reading for me, and probably never will be. Nevertheless, I wanted to push my boundaries as a reader and I thought this collection of poems was the perfect way to do so, able to be immersed in not only poetry but also the region that I now (temporarily) call home.
The first section of Alive at the Center is called Vancouver, and it was my favorite section. Vancouver opened with a poem that begins with a beautiful image of a mother and child but ends in a dark tone: the child "begs I take her back in time" and the sunset is a "pendulum" that is "counting down everyone's hours". Other great poems one can find in this section warn of society's dependence on cell phones, and describes the zest and life of springtime in a hummingbird. One poem in particular, "Song for the Dead", is heartbreaking and though I have not experienced the loss of my father, this poem is full of that fear and dread that every child lives with since childhood, and these feelings were reaching up to grab me by the throat. My favorite poem, "In Event of Moon Disaster", is dark and terrifying, describing their potential death as one of "weightless suffocation". The poem is contradictory throughout, describing the astronaut suits as being "padded casket comfortable" and "robot bodies" while at the same time reassuring the reader that they are the "smallest Eden we ever put an Adam inside of". The poem reminds us not to take everyday beauty for granted and ends on a dark though positive note that mirrors the astronaut's potential death: the last lines instructs the reader not to feel "weighted by the lead clothes you wear" as "they are not as heavy as you think".
The second section of Alive at the Center is Seattle. One of my favorite poems from this collection is one that is a view of humanity as sees from an outsider: an alien, or perhaps an angel? There are poems discussing insanity and others describing that which is hidden (my favorite line, "But you are not hidden unless someone seeks you/and does not know where you are"). One poem gives us a new way to look at life by changing words and sayings from one thing to another that on the surface doesn't fit but when looked at in a new light–squint your eyes, tilt your head–you see that "foxtrot" can in fact mean foreplay and "vampire bites", menstrual cramps.
The third section is named Portland. Here you will find poems dedicated to the moon, poems about grief and the different ways it is handled (either "seeming so able outwardly" while struggling on the inside or speaking "of nothing else" and while their world was burning). There is a poem about a mother's death that brings the same emotions forth in me as does the poem about a father's death in Vancouver, and there is a poem about endings.
And because this is Portland, there is, as there almost has to be, a poem about rain.
If you read this book and want to chat, write me a message! I would love to discuss some thoughts you had about Alive at the Center.
I picked this book up as a personal challenge to myself. Poetry has never been pleasure reading for me, and probably never will be. Nevertheless, I wanted to push my boundaries as a reader and I thought this collection of poems was the perfect way to do so, able to be immersed in not only poetry but also the region that I now (temporarily) call home.
The first section of Alive at the Center is called Vancouver, and it was my favorite section. Vancouver opened with a poem that begins with a beautiful image of a mother and child but ends in a dark tone: the child "begs I take her back in time" and the sunset is a "pendulum" that is "counting down everyone's hours". Other great poems one can find in this section warn of society's dependence on cell phones, and describes the zest and life of springtime in a hummingbird. One poem in particular, "Song for the Dead", is heartbreaking and though I have not experienced the loss of my father, this poem is full of that fear and dread that every child lives with since childhood, and these feelings were reaching up to grab me by the throat. My favorite poem, "In Event of Moon Disaster", is dark and terrifying, describing their potential death as one of "weightless suffocation". The poem is contradictory throughout, describing the astronaut suits as being "padded casket comfortable" and "robot bodies" while at the same time reassuring the reader that they are the "smallest Eden we ever put an Adam inside of". The poem reminds us not to take everyday beauty for granted and ends on a dark though positive note that mirrors the astronaut's potential death: the last lines instructs the reader not to feel "weighted by the lead clothes you wear" as "they are not as heavy as you think".
The second section of Alive at the Center is Seattle. One of my favorite poems from this collection is one that is a view of humanity as sees from an outsider: an alien, or perhaps an angel? There are poems discussing insanity and others describing that which is hidden (my favorite line, "But you are not hidden unless someone seeks you/and does not know where you are"). One poem gives us a new way to look at life by changing words and sayings from one thing to another that on the surface doesn't fit but when looked at in a new light–squint your eyes, tilt your head–you see that "foxtrot" can in fact mean foreplay and "vampire bites", menstrual cramps.
The third section is named Portland. Here you will find poems dedicated to the moon, poems about grief and the different ways it is handled (either "seeming so able outwardly" while struggling on the inside or speaking "of nothing else" and while their world was burning). There is a poem about a mother's death that brings the same emotions forth in me as does the poem about a father's death in Vancouver, and there is a poem about endings.
And because this is Portland, there is, as there almost has to be, a poem about rain.
If you read this book and want to chat, write me a message! I would love to discuss some thoughts you had about Alive at the Center.
November 27, 2022
These compilation of poems from the Pacific Northwest are best described as raw, beautiful, and harsh. I read these poems like reading the terrain of the PNW. The rawness of the mountains. The beauty of the perennial greenery. The harshness of the bitter rain drops and turbulent wind. I found it genius to use the land as a theme for poetry. I think the poem, “At Wood-Edge Road” speaks quite true to this theory. “The city seems much too green/ to be inhabited by death”.
But these poems also speak to deeper themes within the PNW culture. For instance, the accumulation of a homeless population that inhabit these lands, the freeness of the hippies and the mountain men. The stolen land of indigenous tribes now withstanding American dreams. The life on the road rather than home. And the nature that seems to bring us back from the darkness.
Now living in Portland for four months now I felt a deeper connection to the place I recently have called home. I felt like I understood how the rain weathers these people into what they are. I understood why this region is special and deserves odes and sonnets as an homage.
Others reasons I enjoyed this book is the diversity. I couldn’t be sure who the authors were with just their names, but the little biographies in the back of the book helped me piece together that these authors all had different backgrounds and upbringings. Each poem was very different in its own way. Some were structured, some were free verse. Some were first person, some were third. Some were sonnets and odes. Others were ghazals and blank verse forms. I enjoyed the different ways many different people could play with words to describe the same place, but in a very different voice.
One thing I do wish is that there was more homage to the title, “Alive at the Center”. It’s such a beautifully poetic title and I wish there was more directed towards the title choice. I think the publisher’s note and introduction speaks to it most by saying poetry is everywhere and is certainly alive even if people think it’s dead, but I think I was wanting a prosaic dedication that spelled out what was dead and was alive. Maybe that was just the planner in me wanting everything spelled out, but I picked up this book 70% because of the title and I wanted there to be more.
Other than that, I gave this book a 4/5 stars because you can tell the poems were hand picked with care and tenderness. There were carefully placed and stuck on the page like a Polaroid in a scrapbook.
But these poems also speak to deeper themes within the PNW culture. For instance, the accumulation of a homeless population that inhabit these lands, the freeness of the hippies and the mountain men. The stolen land of indigenous tribes now withstanding American dreams. The life on the road rather than home. And the nature that seems to bring us back from the darkness.
Now living in Portland for four months now I felt a deeper connection to the place I recently have called home. I felt like I understood how the rain weathers these people into what they are. I understood why this region is special and deserves odes and sonnets as an homage.
Others reasons I enjoyed this book is the diversity. I couldn’t be sure who the authors were with just their names, but the little biographies in the back of the book helped me piece together that these authors all had different backgrounds and upbringings. Each poem was very different in its own way. Some were structured, some were free verse. Some were first person, some were third. Some were sonnets and odes. Others were ghazals and blank verse forms. I enjoyed the different ways many different people could play with words to describe the same place, but in a very different voice.
One thing I do wish is that there was more homage to the title, “Alive at the Center”. It’s such a beautifully poetic title and I wish there was more directed towards the title choice. I think the publisher’s note and introduction speaks to it most by saying poetry is everywhere and is certainly alive even if people think it’s dead, but I think I was wanting a prosaic dedication that spelled out what was dead and was alive. Maybe that was just the planner in me wanting everything spelled out, but I picked up this book 70% because of the title and I wanted there to be more.
Other than that, I gave this book a 4/5 stars because you can tell the poems were hand picked with care and tenderness. There were carefully placed and stuck on the page like a Polaroid in a scrapbook.
December 2, 2017
Alive at the Center is full of some of the most intriguing pieces of poetry. Each poem is based in the Northwest area, adding a unique touch to the entirety of the book that resonates with a specific audience. This anthology focuses on a wide range of topics, including that of depression, family members, old memories, weather, or even places. The poems are sure to reach every sort of reader as the list can continue facing different themes.
The anthology is mixed with pieces from various northwest poets and their style is conveyed through each of the pages. Some of the poems are short and sweet in full rhythm, while others may be long and wordy, or even in written in verse. If a reader doesn't fall in love with on piece, then the next page may have something else that would resonate with them. It's chalked full of various art and masterpieces. There are even sectioned off portions that pertain to the specific northwest cities such as Portland or Seattle.
Additionally, Alive at the Center provides its readers with not only beautifully written words, but also themes that capture both the author's and the reader's emotions. I found ideas that derived from moments in life where one may have lost a friend, where another found friendship, enjoying the beauty in their surroundings, and so much more. This anthology is so full of moments in life and aspects of the northwest, there's sure to a poem or another that will speak to the reader. I personally enjoyed reading this book, and found that even though not all of the poems pertained to my own experiences, there was truth to be found within them. I would recommend this book to any reader looking for something different and unique in the poetry genre.
The anthology is mixed with pieces from various northwest poets and their style is conveyed through each of the pages. Some of the poems are short and sweet in full rhythm, while others may be long and wordy, or even in written in verse. If a reader doesn't fall in love with on piece, then the next page may have something else that would resonate with them. It's chalked full of various art and masterpieces. There are even sectioned off portions that pertain to the specific northwest cities such as Portland or Seattle.
Additionally, Alive at the Center provides its readers with not only beautifully written words, but also themes that capture both the author's and the reader's emotions. I found ideas that derived from moments in life where one may have lost a friend, where another found friendship, enjoying the beauty in their surroundings, and so much more. This anthology is so full of moments in life and aspects of the northwest, there's sure to a poem or another that will speak to the reader. I personally enjoyed reading this book, and found that even though not all of the poems pertained to my own experiences, there was truth to be found within them. I would recommend this book to any reader looking for something different and unique in the poetry genre.
December 3, 2018
I have always had a bit of a love-hate relationship with poetry. In elementary school i thought it was Dr. Seuss, in middle school I thought it was boring, in high school I found it stuffy and pretentious (and therefore spent the better part of four months trying to write my own), and in undergrad I found it simultaneously fascinating and intimidating and also hated it because it was required, and I couldn’t just enjoy it, I had to find the meaning. I never wanted it to mean just one thing. I still don’t think it does, or should. Poetry is like music, when you like it, you love it, and when it speaks to you, you listen.
I was drawn to Alive at the Center because of the content—poems written about the Pacific Northwest and by authors from the same area. I was specifically interested in the section on Portland, since I’ve only lived here for a year. I still feel new to the area, to the culture and feel of the PNW and all it has to offer I love it here. I love the way the city sprouts up from the river and the way early morning clouds cling to the buildings like stubborn kids refusing to go to bed. I love that it rains in December and that there’s an art fair somewhere every Saturday. And what I got out of this anthology was that other people love that too. It was a beautiful and endearing collection all around!
I was drawn to Alive at the Center because of the content—poems written about the Pacific Northwest and by authors from the same area. I was specifically interested in the section on Portland, since I’ve only lived here for a year. I still feel new to the area, to the culture and feel of the PNW and all it has to offer I love it here. I love the way the city sprouts up from the river and the way early morning clouds cling to the buildings like stubborn kids refusing to go to bed. I love that it rains in December and that there’s an art fair somewhere every Saturday. And what I got out of this anthology was that other people love that too. It was a beautiful and endearing collection all around!
August 17, 2023
Alive at the Center is a collection of poems pertaining to the Pacific Northwest. I knew this from the title, and yet I wasn't entirely sure what to expect before I opened it for the first time. I am not generally a reader of poetry, but I've dabbled in it occasionally, and I've always been fascinated by the creativity shown in contemporary works. This collection did not disappoint in that aspect. The varying styles and expressions have a little bit of something for everyone, and though not every piece grabbed me, I was quite impressed overall.
As someone who grew up in the PNW, certain parts of this collection resonated with me. The section on Portland, in particular, made me feel connected to the work. To that point, the overall structure of the book itself flowed well, and it was clear that a lot of thought was put into building this anthology.
Overall, I think this is a good collection to pick up if you like poetry, are interested in getting into poetry and want to read different styles to see what you're into, or if you love the PNW.
As someone who grew up in the PNW, certain parts of this collection resonated with me. The section on Portland, in particular, made me feel connected to the work. To that point, the overall structure of the book itself flowed well, and it was clear that a lot of thought was put into building this anthology.
Overall, I think this is a good collection to pick up if you like poetry, are interested in getting into poetry and want to read different styles to see what you're into, or if you love the PNW.
August 17, 2018
Alive at the Center is an anthology of poetry from creators through the Pacific-Northwest. Poets from Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver, B.C. are heavily featured, and according to the publishers’ note in the introduction, they wanted to introduce the best of the area and present it all to the world.
One theme I noticed throughout this anthology that I really quite enjoyed was the idea of tying together both poetry and each section’s featured town. For example, the first chapter or section of poems is made up of poems from writers based out of Vancouver, B.C.; the same goes for Seattle, Portland, etc. In each poem I read, I notice the distinct flavor of the city. Each of the chapters at least a handful of poems that harken back to years past.
I’d say pick this one up if you want a whimsical taste of the Pacific-Northwest. Quick read with lots of variety and high quality production.
One theme I noticed throughout this anthology that I really quite enjoyed was the idea of tying together both poetry and each section’s featured town. For example, the first chapter or section of poems is made up of poems from writers based out of Vancouver, B.C.; the same goes for Seattle, Portland, etc. In each poem I read, I notice the distinct flavor of the city. Each of the chapters at least a handful of poems that harken back to years past.
I’d say pick this one up if you want a whimsical taste of the Pacific-Northwest. Quick read with lots of variety and high quality production.
June 7, 2021
I'm a huge poetry reader and I loved this collection. Alive at the Center is a beautifully mixed anthology with vivid imagery. The natural elements of the wind, earth, sun, and others, compared to relationships, speak levels of depth that make you reflect on your own life. I am from the Pacific Northwest, and the poems' visualization reminded me of many landmarks in the area.
The anthology contains various forms of poetry and I really liked that. Each poem was unique, yet was blended beautifully through the natural elements and themes like love, grief, friendship, and reconciliation. Being an avid poetry reader, this book is a great addition to any bookshelf. Even if you're not from the PNW or a poetry fan, any reader can appreciate the thoughtfulness that went into each piece. Each poem engages with the reader and calls out the longing for the natural world.
The anthology contains various forms of poetry and I really liked that. Each poem was unique, yet was blended beautifully through the natural elements and themes like love, grief, friendship, and reconciliation. Being an avid poetry reader, this book is a great addition to any bookshelf. Even if you're not from the PNW or a poetry fan, any reader can appreciate the thoughtfulness that went into each piece. Each poem engages with the reader and calls out the longing for the natural world.
June 10, 2019
I'm not a big reader of poetry but I still enjoyed this book. There are a wide range of poetry forms included in the book and poets from Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland are featured. However, the poems themselves do not have a Pacific Northwest theme and that makes the title of book feel a bit misleading, hence the four star rating. My favorite poems, one from each section (Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland), were "Desdemona (Durga)" by Joanne Arnott, "Nursemaid’s Elbow" by Peter Pereira, and "I am Pregnant with My Mother’s Death" by Penelope Scambly Schott. If you like contemporary poetry or are someone who would like to get a sampling of different forms by poets from the Pacific Northwest, I am sure you will enjoy this book.
June 6, 2020
Alive at the Center is a beautiful collection of poetry. It covers so many topics, making it appealing to a wide range of readers. Perhaps my favorite part about this anthology is that it has such a specific focus. The poetry comes from Vancouver, B.C., Seattle, and Portland only, providing a platform for emerging poets in those cities. The collection also creates a really beautiful imagery of the Pacific Northwest without being super overt about it. You get small glimpses of different experiences in the cities, which when woven together, create a full tapestry of culture and life in these cities. I highly recommend this collection for anyone looking to discover new poets in the Pacific Northwest, or to just get a taste of the PNW culture through poetry.
March 18, 2017
I am not a poetry person, but I was told that this was a good book of poetry to read for people who aren't typically into poetry, and I agree! From the creepy tone of "A Cursed Poem" to more lighthearted (but relatable!) poems like "Cell Phone," this book had a wide array of poetry styles, and to my surprise I really didn't find many of them to sound pretentious.
Some poems rhymed, some didn't. Some were in short stanzas, some in paragraphs. Whatever kind of poetry you're into (or even if you're like me, and you don't like poetry much at all) you will find something to enjoy here.
Some poems rhymed, some didn't. Some were in short stanzas, some in paragraphs. Whatever kind of poetry you're into (or even if you're like me, and you don't like poetry much at all) you will find something to enjoy here.
March 14, 2016
As I only recently moved to the Pacific Northwest, I picked up Alive at the Center with the hope of gaining a little insight on my new home.
With poetry from three of the Pacific Northwest’s major cities (Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland), the book conveys the duality of natural and urban landscapes one would find in this region. Poems like “Commute” by Rebecca Hoogs and “Paper Mill” by Henry Hughes conjure up images of traffic jams and industry, sights typical of any major city, while alongside them, other poems show the natural environment of the region. “Monster” by Karen Finneyfrock, for example, depicts the attack of springtime on the city of Seattle, and “That Time Again” by Portland poet Dan Raphael describes the rain that is quite commonplace in this region. In reading poems like these, I came to learn the about the appreciation the region seems to have for both their cities and the natural beauty.
With such a regional work, I expected to feel like an outside observer as I read, but instead, I felt this collection of poems also conveyed the common human experience, describing a variety of issues from the complexities of relationships to intense emotions like grief. “Husband, Wife,” speaks to the intricacies of marriage and how no one knows quite how such relationships work, especially when two beings are so vastly different. “Distant Friends” by Lisa Steinman looks at the different ways people deal with the loss of a loved one, both internally and externally, and how even when a person seems to be handling the pain, it can be tearing them apart inside. Dealing with relationships and emotions are common experiences, and ones that I was able to identify with, despite the regional differences.
Alive at the Center is a unique work in that it allowed me to do two things that seem at odds with one another. I was able to learn about a place that I don’t belong to and yet I didn’t feel alienated by that. This anthology was an absolute pleasure to read, and I would recommend it not only to anyone living in or interested in the Pacific Northwest but also to poetry enthusiasts in any region.
With poetry from three of the Pacific Northwest’s major cities (Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland), the book conveys the duality of natural and urban landscapes one would find in this region. Poems like “Commute” by Rebecca Hoogs and “Paper Mill” by Henry Hughes conjure up images of traffic jams and industry, sights typical of any major city, while alongside them, other poems show the natural environment of the region. “Monster” by Karen Finneyfrock, for example, depicts the attack of springtime on the city of Seattle, and “That Time Again” by Portland poet Dan Raphael describes the rain that is quite commonplace in this region. In reading poems like these, I came to learn the about the appreciation the region seems to have for both their cities and the natural beauty.
With such a regional work, I expected to feel like an outside observer as I read, but instead, I felt this collection of poems also conveyed the common human experience, describing a variety of issues from the complexities of relationships to intense emotions like grief. “Husband, Wife,” speaks to the intricacies of marriage and how no one knows quite how such relationships work, especially when two beings are so vastly different. “Distant Friends” by Lisa Steinman looks at the different ways people deal with the loss of a loved one, both internally and externally, and how even when a person seems to be handling the pain, it can be tearing them apart inside. Dealing with relationships and emotions are common experiences, and ones that I was able to identify with, despite the regional differences.
Alive at the Center is a unique work in that it allowed me to do two things that seem at odds with one another. I was able to learn about a place that I don’t belong to and yet I didn’t feel alienated by that. This anthology was an absolute pleasure to read, and I would recommend it not only to anyone living in or interested in the Pacific Northwest but also to poetry enthusiasts in any region.
March 10, 2016
For someone who has never read much poetry, I must say I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of poems. Of course part of me thinks I am biased since this collection comes from the Pacific Northwest that I've grown up in. Yet, another part of me says it doesn't matter if I'm rooting for my home region because the poets featured in this anthology are truly talented. There's a poem inside this collection for everyone. For the melancholy poets there are plenty of really deep and emotional poems such as "After the Tsunami" which paints these gorgeous paintings in your mind. Other poems such as "Robot Scientist's Daughter" are just weird and yet creative enough that they also get your imagination going. No matter what your cup of tea poem is, I bet you'll find it here. Of course not all of them are spectacular--some are simply mundane or about the normal life. But still, others such as "What I'll tell the Aliens" are sure to engage you and keep you turning the page in hopes of finding your next favorite poem.
One of my personal favorites in this collections is titled "Crows"--which makes sense to me as there are tons of crows where I live in the PNW. So now every time I see one I'm reminded of the poem which has this really beautiful line about crows being the pallbearers of our souls.
Overall, I was quite pleased with Alive at the Center. Even if I'm not normally a big poetry fan, I was able to really appreciate the ones in this. They were all very unique and quite often lovely. I'd definitely recommend picking it up if you get the chance.
One of my personal favorites in this collections is titled "Crows"--which makes sense to me as there are tons of crows where I live in the PNW. So now every time I see one I'm reminded of the poem which has this really beautiful line about crows being the pallbearers of our souls.
Overall, I was quite pleased with Alive at the Center. Even if I'm not normally a big poetry fan, I was able to really appreciate the ones in this. They were all very unique and quite often lovely. I'd definitely recommend picking it up if you get the chance.
February 12, 2016
I found Alive at the Center a truly intriguing read due to its deep focus on place. As part of the Pacific Poetry Project, with its focus on Vancouver, British Columbia, Seattle, Washington, and Portland, Oregon. While I am no poetry expert, I have read a good amount of poetry during an internship with Copper Canyon Press. I picked up Alive at the Center excited about it’s focus on place, having grown up just outside Seattle.
While you do not need to be from the Pacific Northwest to appreciate the poetry in this collection, you will certainly want to visit afterwards. The strongest aspect of this anthology is the incredibly strong sense of place in each poem. Reading a piece, even when not expounding on the glories of rain or the greenness of the trees, resonated with the atmosphere of the northwest. Overall, I found the writing to be incredibly accessible, narrative, rather entry-level poetry.
I found the first section, Vancouver, to be the strongest of the three, but found myself disappointed as I continued to read on. Seattle, the second section, was stronger than Portland, the final section. I found it harder to continue reading as I found fewer and fewer gems that resonated with me. A few highlights of the collection for me were “Power Saw Elegy” by Dennis E. Bolen, “In Event of Moon Disaster” by Lucia Misch, and “What the Sea Takes” by Holly J. Hughes.
While you do not need to be from the Pacific Northwest to appreciate the poetry in this collection, you will certainly want to visit afterwards. The strongest aspect of this anthology is the incredibly strong sense of place in each poem. Reading a piece, even when not expounding on the glories of rain or the greenness of the trees, resonated with the atmosphere of the northwest. Overall, I found the writing to be incredibly accessible, narrative, rather entry-level poetry.
I found the first section, Vancouver, to be the strongest of the three, but found myself disappointed as I continued to read on. Seattle, the second section, was stronger than Portland, the final section. I found it harder to continue reading as I found fewer and fewer gems that resonated with me. A few highlights of the collection for me were “Power Saw Elegy” by Dennis E. Bolen, “In Event of Moon Disaster” by Lucia Misch, and “What the Sea Takes” by Holly J. Hughes.
March 5, 2016
Prefaced by an incredible introduction by Robert Duncan Gray (a dangerous move: his brief homage to Poetry may be the best part of the whole book), Alive at the Center is a collection of contemporary poetry from the Pacific Northwest, split between Vancouver BC, Seattle, and Portland. While I was expecting a bit more focus on the Pacific Northwest as a place and had to reroute to compensate for the speculative science fiction themes and intimate closeups of lovers likened to plant life, it was overall a very good anthology.
Reading Alive at the Center was like digging for buried treasure. Most of the poetry made up the earth, rich and dull and heavy and full of possibility. I enjoyed running my fingers through these poems, kneading them, imagining what could grow from them if they were just given some time. But they were not the focus, not what I was looking for.
What I was looking for was the treasure--those moments of pure gold that appeared, hard and cold and solid and sparkling, in my fingers. Poems like "The End" by Andrew Michael Roberts, "Hollow" by David Zieroth, and "What I Will Tell the Aliens" by Martha Silano offer truth and humor intertwined unpretentiously. They do not know they are poems.
Reading Alive at the Center was like digging for buried treasure. Most of the poetry made up the earth, rich and dull and heavy and full of possibility. I enjoyed running my fingers through these poems, kneading them, imagining what could grow from them if they were just given some time. But they were not the focus, not what I was looking for.
What I was looking for was the treasure--those moments of pure gold that appeared, hard and cold and solid and sparkling, in my fingers. Poems like "The End" by Andrew Michael Roberts, "Hollow" by David Zieroth, and "What I Will Tell the Aliens" by Martha Silano offer truth and humor intertwined unpretentiously. They do not know they are poems.
August 8, 2017
As someone who grew up in the Pacific NW, this collection was an exploration of the memory, landscape and experiences that felt truly and authentically of and from this region. I deeply resonated with its pages—and I do not often ready nor seek out poetry (let alone consume 230 pages of it within a week). To feel that these writers shared a common experience of the physical and emotional tone of the Pacific NW was really refreshing, as over the last 10 years I have felt disenfranchised by a city (Portland) that once was so familiar to me.
Not that the poems are specifically about Portland, but these poets, from Vancouver to the southern Oregon coast, have encapsulated aspects of the Pacific NW that are unmistakably of this region: the hue of the sky in winter, the remains of a once entirely working class towns, and the bizarre characters that still seem to keep coming West, looking for the last best place—all the while intertwining broader themes of regret, loss and inevitable change. It’s a unique blend of voices, and one that any lover of good writing and poetry would enjoy taking long, deep sips of.
Not that the poems are specifically about Portland, but these poets, from Vancouver to the southern Oregon coast, have encapsulated aspects of the Pacific NW that are unmistakably of this region: the hue of the sky in winter, the remains of a once entirely working class towns, and the bizarre characters that still seem to keep coming West, looking for the last best place—all the while intertwining broader themes of regret, loss and inevitable change. It’s a unique blend of voices, and one that any lover of good writing and poetry would enjoy taking long, deep sips of.
March 13, 2016
I knew I was in for a good read when I finished the fabulous introduction by Robert Duncan Gray. The intricate language he used to create his absurd imagery, including his bizarre recipe for poetry, piqued my intrigue and pulled me into the collection in a matter of paragraphs. The first poem of the book entitled “A Cursed Poem” set a hauntingly beautiful tone. What marks a great collection of poetry is when you can open the book at random and pick out a poem or two to read, but you can also read the book cover to cover and see a coherent theme. Alive at the Center delivered on both these fronts. By bringing together the voices of their respective cities, this collection weaves the stories of the Pacific Northwest in a way that historical or even creative nonfiction cannot. These are the words of the people who breathe, eat, sleep and love in these cities; their words are shockingly intimate, irreverent, cerebral, and humorous. This book is one that will stay at the forefront of my bookshelves, and it deserves a place on yours as wel
May 18, 2017
For those who say they don't enjoy poetry, or they don't understand it, I believe wholeheartedly that there is a poem out there for everyone. This is truly a diverse collection of poetry, and anyone is sure to find at least one style of poetry they enjoy in this collection. Though the vast majority of poems are non-rhyming, there are a small handful of poems that do rhyme. Some have rhythm, some are very experimental with form, some use concrete imagery, and some are entirely abstract. I wasn't a fan of every single poem in this collection, but I absolutely appreciate the broad spectrum of styles that were included. That being said, I wish more of the poems (or all of them) prominently featured the Pacific Northwest, as it's the one connecting theme across the collection.
May 5, 2014
Two things I quickly noticed about this book mid-reading; you don’t need to be from the Pacific Northwest, nor a poet to appreciate the body of work presented here. I am by no means a poetry lover, but enjoyed the variety of prose available in each section. The writing is accessible and lacking pretentiousness. I particularly enjoyed the chunk dedicated to Portland writers. It really did feel like these poems were engaging in a cultural conversation and they were letting non-Portlander’s into their little world.
June 4, 2016
I picked up Alive at the Center because I just moved to Pacific Northwest and I was curious to learn more about it. I don't have a car so I don't have the freedom to explore as much as I'd like to nor have I lived here long enough to feel a true connection to this place, but reading this collection made me feel closer to it without having to travel around. I enjoyed how meaningful and honest the contributors words are. I'd recommend this collection to anyone who wants to visit the Pacific Northwest.
December 1, 2018
Featuring poets from Seattle, Vancouver B.C., and Portland, ALIVE AT THE CENTER is truly a testament to the rich poetic community of the Pacific Northwest. Certain themes and images ran throughout the collection that struck me - homelessness, the ever-present rain, the coast and nature and isolation and dredging through old memories.
Of course, some poems were outliers, and didn’t remind me of the Pacific Northwest at all; there were some that either went over my head or some that just didn’t meet me in the middle, and that’s okay. Not all poetry is going to resonate in your heart, but I definitely found a few treasures within this collection. Some even had me pause and take them in slowly, their imagery and subject matter so eerily, incredibly similar to my experiences that I wondered if the poets had known me my whole life.
This book does justice to the living, breathing, community of contemporary poetry that is still alive and flourishing here in the top left corner of the states. Even if you think poetry may be out of your comfort zone, don’t let it intimidate you - you might find something in the pages of ALIVE AT THE CENTER that speak to you regardless of your experience and familiarity with poetry.
To give you an idea of what you’ll be in for, I chose my favorite lines from within the book and constructed a found poem. Enjoy, and if you like any of the lines below you should definitely check out the collection!!
“please — send me an alien”
my view has been narrowing since time began,
time: and it’s dimensions
until dirt was done.
Suddenly, I am hollowed out,
I commute but am not moved;
What stitches mind to body?
Who cuts the unraveling?
I always become what I research.
In every dream I dream I am asleep
distracted by birds or agates or whips of seaweed
knifing a steelhead open like a cherished book —
what the sea takes, gives back.
Pity the ghost shrimp, his heart on his sleeve
he resembles a small star,
sometimes there and others there
all other days occult;
pink buds on branches and blouses,
cigarette smoke, bone china, milk,
the bird calling and calling and calling,
a sentence can be stepped into only once,
and never again;
Now nod and vuln yourself raw before the Eucharist,
the holy ash scattered on the floor.
Ravens untie from [your] hair,
the roses, the tea, the microchips, and you,
expanding, you relax.
Never say you can’t take this whole
world into your mouth.
Lines pulled from the poems of:
Silano (title), Craft, Saklikar, Tenenbaum, Zieroth, Hoogs, Austen, McCaslin, Rankine, Shay, Bennett, Hughes, Snyder-Camp, Larios, Sheffield, Wakefield, Reimer, Pereira, Barot, Leggo, Sunder, Currin, Gardiner, Sand, Balk, Petersen
Of course, some poems were outliers, and didn’t remind me of the Pacific Northwest at all; there were some that either went over my head or some that just didn’t meet me in the middle, and that’s okay. Not all poetry is going to resonate in your heart, but I definitely found a few treasures within this collection. Some even had me pause and take them in slowly, their imagery and subject matter so eerily, incredibly similar to my experiences that I wondered if the poets had known me my whole life.
This book does justice to the living, breathing, community of contemporary poetry that is still alive and flourishing here in the top left corner of the states. Even if you think poetry may be out of your comfort zone, don’t let it intimidate you - you might find something in the pages of ALIVE AT THE CENTER that speak to you regardless of your experience and familiarity with poetry.
To give you an idea of what you’ll be in for, I chose my favorite lines from within the book and constructed a found poem. Enjoy, and if you like any of the lines below you should definitely check out the collection!!
“please — send me an alien”
my view has been narrowing since time began,
time: and it’s dimensions
until dirt was done.
Suddenly, I am hollowed out,
I commute but am not moved;
What stitches mind to body?
Who cuts the unraveling?
I always become what I research.
In every dream I dream I am asleep
distracted by birds or agates or whips of seaweed
knifing a steelhead open like a cherished book —
what the sea takes, gives back.
Pity the ghost shrimp, his heart on his sleeve
he resembles a small star,
sometimes there and others there
all other days occult;
pink buds on branches and blouses,
cigarette smoke, bone china, milk,
the bird calling and calling and calling,
a sentence can be stepped into only once,
and never again;
Now nod and vuln yourself raw before the Eucharist,
the holy ash scattered on the floor.
Ravens untie from [your] hair,
the roses, the tea, the microchips, and you,
expanding, you relax.
Never say you can’t take this whole
world into your mouth.
Lines pulled from the poems of:
Silano (title), Craft, Saklikar, Tenenbaum, Zieroth, Hoogs, Austen, McCaslin, Rankine, Shay, Bennett, Hughes, Snyder-Camp, Larios, Sheffield, Wakefield, Reimer, Pereira, Barot, Leggo, Sunder, Currin, Gardiner, Sand, Balk, Petersen
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