The Motorcycle Betrayal Poems

by Diane Wakoski

Diane Wakoski (born 1937) is an American poet who is associated with the "deep image" poets, and to a lesser degree, the "confessional" and Beat poets of the 1960's.

Genres: Poetry, Female Authors

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

About the author

Wakoski is an American poet who is primarily associated with the deep image poets such as Jerome Rothenberg, Robert Kelly, and Clayton Eshleman. Throughout her work she uses legends, myth and fairy tales to create a deeply personal mythology.

She is best known for a series of poems collectively known as "The Motorcycle Betrayal Poems."

Wakoski was given the William Carlos Williams Award for her "Emerald Ice: Selected Poetry 1962-1987."

Reviews

[Lulu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed these poems, they’re funny and self-deprecating. Though I’d say the collection as a whole does get a bit thematically repetitive. Like I get it already.

[Tena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I carried this book around with me during my junior and senior years of high school ('73-75). It made me want to be a writer. I barely remember the words. But today for some reason, the memory of this book came to me.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wakoski's style is so engaging and direct who wouldn't want to be able to write like her? I enjoyed this as a young feminist and will still love it as an old one.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hubba Hubba...engines roaring

[Maddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

“She is the rain,
Waits in it for you,
Finds blood spotting her legs
From the long ride.”

It’s a weird feeling, reading a style which has been labelled by some as ‘Instagram Poetry’, knowing that this collection was published in 1971, long before social media made a style of poetry completely unpalatable to many readers. I wonder if Rupi Kuar ever read this and saw her own poetic style reflected back to her. The Motorcycle Betrayal Poems should be required reading for every single person screwed over romantically or personally by men. Raw, angry, and deeply hurt, the collection bleeds resentment. If there is one thing to learn from Diane Wakoski, it’s to not fuck around with men who ride motorcycles. Also that Diana Wakoski really likes men with moustaches, like an unhealthy amount.

[Mimi V · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read The Motorcycle Betrayal Poems in high school. (I hesitate to reveal the year, but it wasn't an incredibly long time after the book was first published.) I was, at the time, very into poetry, devouring every book of poetry I could get my hands on. Diane Wakoski's poetry spoke to me in a very personal way. About 15 years ago I was able to find a used copy and enjoyed reading it again. Oddly enough, when I told my daughter about it she gasped and said that she had also discovered Diane Wakoski in high school! We had no idea that the other had read her.

I was in the mood yesterday to grab some books off the shelf and read poetry. This is the first one I gravitated toward. Even though I don't "need" these poems the way I did when I was younger, I still enjoy them.

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely of its time, but in ways that can still feel exciting and daring. So many poems here are Wakoski speaking directly to her desires and her frustrations-- a style that can become over-the-top, but does not do so in this collection. Even more heartening than the collection is coming on here and seeing a lot of people remembering their devotion to this book in their early 1970s high school years, and circling back these years later.

[Amy]

DNF. Language got repetitive; not in a good way. Some of the poems were powerful but couldn’t get through the whole book.

[jesucristo.69 · Rating 5 out of 5]

jesus christ

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diane I feel youuuuuu

[Parker Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first section was hilarious, and the rest of the book really dug into these deeper hurts with some really great poetry. I cannot say how much I enjoy read Diane Wakoski

[Marina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit repetitive but found her affinity for the moon and moustaches relatable.

[S/Faye · Rating 5 out of 5]

badass, heart-wrenching, cruel, kind, silver-tongued, and sweetly spiteful. a favorite

[Abraham · Rating 2 out of 5]

whiny. We've all had to learn to live with our faces, Diane.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fucking seminal.

[Everett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Filled with anger and with love, quite sexy too.

[Ann Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not a big fan of Wakowski's poetry in general, but of her books, I like this one probably the best.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first Wakoski. hooked for life.

[Cathryn Cofell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is why I write -- fantabulous collection!!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This writer is a genius. A very overlooked genius.

[Mills College Library]

811.54 W149mb 1971