China Basin

by Clemens Starck

"Yokohama"

Wondering why not a single plum tree grew

in the holy compound of the Ise Shrine,

Basho was told

there was no special reason...

Hot night on Isezaki Street.

Big yellow moon.

Storefront TV. After six full innings Tokyo

leads Hiroshima, 5 to 3.

What is this? Japanese bartenders look

like American bartenders.

Sonuvabitch Drunk in Yokohama

and Basho isn't here.

Clemens Starck works as a carpenter and construction foreman.

Also Available by Clemens Starck"

Journeyman's Wages"

PB $10.95, 1-885266-02-2 CUSA

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[GW · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked how he avoided some of the controversial subjects that sometime come out in poetry. I might not agree with his views on women or religion and politics, but since he avoided the subjects entirely, it was a pleasant read. It's nice to see someone go through his mind trying to be PC at all times and not offending the reader. He has left a record of a man in the trades and done so in a literate fashion. It's not going to be a popular classic, yet I liked it, because it mentioned work as something to realize in one's past as important. The poet is important not his works. Quite different from other poetry I've read. In the end he is suggesting to me to live and process what' not only who we are.

[Eric Shaffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite is "How to Bury a Dead Horse."

[Mills College Library]

811.54 S7953c 2002