XoeteoX

by Edwin Torres

What does a book want to be in anyone’s hands but an infinite word object? XoeteoX is a dare into perception, traversing territories of language, sound, and the visual page. At the intersection of identity, performance, and typography, these poems compel reader and word into being, presenting a pact towards understanding and the mutual beyond.

between you and me
a skin of cognition ― a container holding us together ― connecting us
your skin is incredibly porous
your existence ― unfolding within it

a journey leading back to its creation ―
a right now ― in the making that forms the beginning
of what you end ― right now

Genres: Poetry

104 pages, Paperback

Published October 2, 2018

About the author

Edwin Torres is a former New York State Supreme Court judge and author, who wrote the 1975 novel Carlito's Way. His book was the basis for the 1993 movie of the same name, starring Al Pacino, and for the 1979 book After Hours, the sequel to Carlito's Way.

In 1958, Torres was admitted to the New York State Bar. In 1959, as an assistant district attorney, Torres participated in the prosecution of Sal "the Capeman" Agron. Shortly thereafter he became a criminal defense attorney.

In 1977, Torres was appointed to the New York State Criminal Court. In 1980 he was selected to the State Supreme Court, where he served as a justice in the Twelfth Judicial District in New York City. The Supreme Court has jurisdiction over felony cases, and Torres presided over a number of high-profile murder cases.

He retired from the bench in 2008 and since then has served on the New York State Athletic Commission.

A film adaptation of Q & A was released in 1990, directed by Sidney Lumet, and it starred Nick Nolte and Armand Assante. "After Hours" was filmed in 1993, but used the title Carlito's Way to avoid being confused with Martin Scorsese's 1985 film After Hours.

Reviews

[Brandyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful meditation on language, thought, being, and other intricacies that sit like lace between those things. This is one I pick up again and again whenever I feel dried out and ungrounded. If you're a writer, have your weapons (pen and pad) handy because each line will inspire you.

[Nancy]

Pot on a rolling boil. Drum set after the band leaves so it's all just what happens. Danger is in the room and so is a shaker shaking. It's a tone in the room, ringing. I see it now! It's words living.

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't really have my sea legs when it comes to language poetry sometimes, so I found some of these poems a lot more opaque than others. This is a very good collection regardless!

[T Brown]

Fascinating layouts and awesome enjambments. Really cool to see how your professor writes. "Tone" and "Aurora's Aura" were my favorite pieces. Amazing design quality.

[Victors · Rating 3 out of 5]

Arse Poetica: ... "re-possibles" the possibility at the core of what is and is not poetry. (XoeteoX is possibly the most possible poetry I've ever read.) 3.7 stars.