A Fine Dusting of Brightness
by Dorothy Howe Brooks
The title of this collection, A Fine Dusting of Brightness, also opens an extraordinary poem of literary description and exposition focused on Vermeer’s painting The Cook. These poems embody ekphrasis even when the subject of the poem is not a visual work of art. Many of the poems consider loss–the failings of age or sickness–and death, yet vivid observations become surprisingly juxtaposed images and skillful irony. [more]
“It’s official—I need a phrase that goes beyond ‘brilliant genius’ to describe Richard Fox and Time Bomb, his new collection of poetry. From a letter John Lennon sends to his son Sean’s teacher explaining why he’ll be out that day, to hippies, beats, Romeo & Juliet at Auschwitz, a lover named Madeleine, and Mrs. Noah’s Bitch, this book is all over the place! Achingly beautiful, mercilessly evocative and compelling, these poems resonate with anyone has had to deal with sorrow and fear. The stakes couldn’t be higher as we journey with him through his battle with cancer, so elegantly described in stark, heart rendering detail that you simply can’t stop reading. With grace, courage, and humor, Time Bomb will move you, upset you, frighten you and inspire you. One of the year’s best. By far.” – Robin Stratton, author of Of Zen and Men and In His Genes, editor of Boston Literary Magazine