Forge

by kevin mcpherson eckhoff

The six poems in this collection fuse melancholy, absurdity, excess, and joy. One poem fuses word-processing documents mined from a computer lab. Another melts and reverses the voices of a syndicated television game show; while still another quarries prime time sound bites, casting them into girders of verse. The final sequence exhumes and polishes obituaries until they're as lustrous as iron pyrite. Whether tampering with pop culture science or tempering memory against alcohol, the words throughout Forge are counterfeit and precious, cynical and sanguine, real and realer.

Genres: Poetry

96 pages, Paperback

First published April 15, 2013

About the author

look at all these keyboards! most people only see one keyboard at a time, but children often simultaneously perceive many, which is exactly one 'm' more than 'any'.

placing a 'why' at the end of 'man' is another way to get many. and how! questions are usually more interesting than answers anyway?

other possible uses of a keyboard: sushi platter, percussion instrument, doormat, bookshelf, face washcloth, wagon (add 5 wheels), coffee filter--a measure of infinitude. one might think that at least part of a keyboard would make an effective lock unlocker, but one would be wrang.

'getting keyedboard' happens when someone (a foe or stranger) runs a keyboard across the paint-skin of someone else's vehicle. And if you're still reading this, you're likely getting keybored.

when people get so tired that they start emitting zzzzzz's from their face-sound-speakers while also doing anything, that thing might just turn zzzzzany!

Reviews

[Philip Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightfully experimental collection of assembled language and emergent meaning. Some of the avant-garde tendencies seemed a little piled on for their own sake (the 'ancestors' section, for example), but even going through swaths of found language and nonsensical, aleatoric phrases, there was an enjoyable experience on almost every page, and it's tons of fun to see what type of things kevin gets up to when he's unrestrained. I found the 'notes on the text' section to be incredibly helpful in 'deciphering' the poems themselves, and imagine I'd like to see more of similar in the future.

Full review forthcoming.

[M.W.P.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forge is divided into six parts: "Forge", "Apparent", "Game Show Reversed", "Ancestorge", "Channelling", and "In Lieu of Flowers".

The first part, "Forge", is described by the poet as being "a documentary poem built using the most recent copied words from one hundred computers throughout the information commons at the University of Calgry in 2006"...

this report addresses issues of
concepts of concepts

we also assume that human subjects different
methodology perspectives

the project lifecycle must be characterized
by flexibility in resources, costs and schedules
understanding what is meant by "second"

the essence of the control system
to get the correct information to the correct
people at the correct time

most of the effort is exerted in phase C
the execution phase

- introduction, pg. 5

*

ethics in human communication
via (way,road)

cannot obtain the data
for the I:\Lab4 discussion.doc link

- windspeaker, pg. 6

*

protect the environment and use natural
resources judiciously to ensure quality of life for
future generations

Bordo examines the cultural meanings given to
being thin or overweight
a status symbol

assess the economic importance
of batteries to modern society

who is excited about the possibility of joining
the Stratford Court community!

- commercial radio in canada is now a billion dollar industry, pg. 16

*

analysisofsolaraidedpumpsystemswithseasonalthe
rmalenergystorageinsurfacetanks.pdf

the living body is constructed out of elements
it took from other bodies

when the body decomposes
its chemical elements diffuse and enter other
bodies

I am very tied up this month due to unexpected
circumstance
propose alternative solution to this problem

- contradicted during pregnancy, pg. 20

The second part, "Apparent", "collages memory inside cement, denial against narrative, childhood beside guardianship"...

Destiny forgets drywall. Worship charms the drift into a lamppost. Pony. Why won't alcohol show destiny? Alcohol coughs the arresting drywall over the confrontational mother. Will a compact grizzly faint? Like a morning construction worker? Alcohol hurts fear. Cement. The red marriage composes behind fear. Dust arrives! A wet cheek afternoons the garden. Temper, temper, temper. Where aren't I? Alcohol steams joy under a sledge. Alcohol triumphs over the marginal temper above each employee. Joy tries disguising itself into the blast.

- pg. 31

The third part, "Game Show Reversed", "backspins one of the first sindicated episodes of the Wheel of Fortune"...

Wheel of Fortune is a Merv Griffin Production, distributed by Kingworld Productions, Incorporated. Pat Sajak's wardrobe furnished by Augustus. Vanna White's wardrobe furnished by Giorgio Beverly Hills. Contestants are furnished with complete rules, must meet eligibility requirements, and win obly announced prizes. Star Bronze Company. Wilderness Fruit Fillings. Guardsman. Pontiac. Columbia. Speed Queen. Duracell. Big Boy America. Simmons. Jules Jugensen. Tiffany and Company. Texas Instruments....

- Bonus Round, pg. 39

The fourth part, "Ancestorge", "attempts to rhyme noun with ghost until they each possess the other"...

circumstancestor
ignorancestor
acquaintancestor
observancestor
countenancestor
deliverancestor
distancestor
lancestor
chancestor
disturbancestor
vengeancestor
dancestor
defiancestor
grievancestor
penancestor
repentancestor
romancestor
...

- pg. 59

The fifth part, "Channelling", "arises from atellite television, its waves of dialogue and remote surfboards"...

I'm going to leave for a moment
then follow right behind
how many families have you destroyed
destroyed please
come I'll explain
aw poop
lately
I haven't been violent
but I've wanted to hurt friends
I've just received a disturbing
report from deep space
pants are a metaphor
we're all insurance
aren't we
because I resent my hairdresser
I'm serious
think about it
your social anxiety only makes me feel bad
you're dangerous and foolish
emulous as an emu
caloric infraction
don't reject my calls
you had sex with a skull
I feel ashamed
and yet these people
they're following me
...

- pg. 67

The sixth part, "In Lieu of Flowers", "equals 1000 words that obituaries could never say"...

In respecting Fred's wishes, he was cremated and
there will
In respecting Les's wishes, he was cremated and
there will be no
A graceful and kind soul, she will be
In addition to her ten children, Marjorie leaves
She will be greatly
She saw the wold with its fierce
Fiercely protective and proud of her
For those who wish, expressions of sympathy may
Christopher, we love you and know
Rosemary's independent spirit and keen intellect
soon
It is with sadness
It is with deep sorrow that we
It is with heartfelt sadness that we announce
With great and profound sadness the family
announce the unexpected
For no one knows the sorrow of
...

- pg. 79