What do you think?
Rate this book
The KGB Bar Book Of Poems
Started in 1997 by poets David Lehman and Star Black, the KGB Bar poetry series is widely recognized as the hottest and perhaps the best reading series in New York. Located in the hip East Village KGB Bar, these Monday-night readings boast a fantastic variety and quality of internationally known poets from Charles Simic, Molly Peacock, and Katha Pollit to Marie Howe, Mark Strand, and Yusef Komunyakaa.Now Lehman and Black have gathered work from the first three seasons into a wonderful anthology. Together with a generous supply of photographs and anecdotes from contributors on the most memorable thing ever to happen to them at a poetry reading, this unique book of poems reflects the amazing variety and energy of poetry today.
The poems range in style from Douglas. Crase's "Astropastoral" ("I have seen you on every horizon, how you are stored/And encouraged and brought to the brim/Until the round bounds of one planet could not hold you in") to Anne Porter's "Five Wishes." Offering a wide window into contemporary poetry, The KGB Bar Book of Poems debunks the myth of poetry's ivory tower to reveal the kind of raw, candid reading experience that truly brings poetry to life.""The pre-Russian revolutionary locale gives the gathering a committed, not to say conspiratorial air, and it somehow manages to foster a true sense of camaraderie, experimentation, and open exchange between readers and audience. I've seldom enjoyed an evening of poetry and friendship more."--Jonathan Galassi (President of The Academy of American Poets), the KGB Bar poetry series"
Every Monday night, the KGB Bar's poetry readings are packed to overflowing. Pulitzer Prize winners bum cigarettes from grad studentsand martini glasses are refilled between readings, while the best poets in the country share their latest work with a rapt audience.
The KGB Bar is the sexiest and arguably the best venue for poetry in New York City, and now "The KGB Bar Book of Poems" brings this hot literary series to the page. Icons like John Ashbery and Charles Wright appear here with other favorites such as Molly Peacock and Katha Pollitt. Many of the poets have also written anecdotes about their own most memorable poetry readings.
With dynamic black-and-white photographs throughout, "The KGB Bar Book of Poems "reflects the dazzling variety and tremendous energy of poetry today.
The poems range in style from Douglas. Crase's "Astropastoral" ("I have seen you on every horizon, how you are stored/And encouraged and brought to the brim/Until the round bounds of one planet could not hold you in") to Anne Porter's "Five Wishes." Offering a wide window into contemporary poetry, The KGB Bar Book of Poems debunks the myth of poetry's ivory tower to reveal the kind of raw, candid reading experience that truly brings poetry to life.""The pre-Russian revolutionary locale gives the gathering a committed, not to say conspiratorial air, and it somehow manages to foster a true sense of camaraderie, experimentation, and open exchange between readers and audience. I've seldom enjoyed an evening of poetry and friendship more."--Jonathan Galassi (President of The Academy of American Poets), the KGB Bar poetry series"
Every Monday night, the KGB Bar's poetry readings are packed to overflowing. Pulitzer Prize winners bum cigarettes from grad studentsand martini glasses are refilled between readings, while the best poets in the country share their latest work with a rapt audience.
The KGB Bar is the sexiest and arguably the best venue for poetry in New York City, and now "The KGB Bar Book of Poems" brings this hot literary series to the page. Icons like John Ashbery and Charles Wright appear here with other favorites such as Molly Peacock and Katha Pollitt. Many of the poets have also written anecdotes about their own most memorable poetry readings.
With dynamic black-and-white photographs throughout, "The KGB Bar Book of Poems "reflects the dazzling variety and tremendous energy of poetry today.
- GenresPoetryAnthologies
288 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2000
About the author
David Lehman
133 books59 followersDavid Lehman is a poet and the series editor for The Best American Poetry series. He teaches at The New School in New York City.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 24, 2012
I like this passage from what I've read this morning:
"I see you on every horizon, how you are stored/
and encouraged and brought to the brim/
until the round bounds of one planet could not hold you in"
(from Douglas Crase's "Astropastoral" -- p. 53)
"I see you on every horizon, how you are stored/
and encouraged and brought to the brim/
until the round bounds of one planet could not hold you in"
(from Douglas Crase's "Astropastoral" -- p. 53)
March 27, 2024
A great intro to contemporary poetry. I say this because the KGB Bar Book of Poems is more than just a collection of poems, it's a collection of photographs, and a collection of anecdotes. In some cases, the anecdotes outshine the poetry. Robert Bly's account of taking a really small audience to a local apartment is charming, and Susan Wheeler's experience with a group of convicted criminals is melancholy and thoughtful. Additionally, the photographs lend a great deal to the atmosphere in the book. The dark smokey inebriated interior of the bar shines through Star Black's trained lens. The poets and friends are always jubilant and inviting. While reading, you really feel privy to some special knowledge.
The poetry itself can be a mixed bag. It brings to mind the maxim, "you can't please all of the people all of the time." Personal favorites for me are "Santa Monica" by Charlie Smith, and David Trinidad's "Of Mere Plastic", a funny but insightful take-off of "Of Mere Being" by Wallace Stevens. I suggest you buy the book and read these two last. Each poet has a short bio before their poem, listing their publications and history, so it's a great lead of to some terrific books. Find a poet you like and dig into their back-prints. Indeed, people don't read enough poetry these days. And what's a better way to start than with this seemingly "underground" compilation?
The poetry itself can be a mixed bag. It brings to mind the maxim, "you can't please all of the people all of the time." Personal favorites for me are "Santa Monica" by Charlie Smith, and David Trinidad's "Of Mere Plastic", a funny but insightful take-off of "Of Mere Being" by Wallace Stevens. I suggest you buy the book and read these two last. Each poet has a short bio before their poem, listing their publications and history, so it's a great lead of to some terrific books. Find a poet you like and dig into their back-prints. Indeed, people don't read enough poetry these days. And what's a better way to start than with this seemingly "underground" compilation?
August 31, 2017
Well done on all points from experienced writers, who have mastered their craft and audited their written words at the KGB bar.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews