Poesy, Issue #36

Poesy, Issue #36
A quarterly literary journal
ISSN 1541-8162
Subscriptions $12 per year
Attn: Editor, Brian Morrissey
P.O. Box 7823
Santa Cruz CA 95061

It’s been awhile since I’ve reviewed a journal, so Poesy and I returned from hiatus together. After 18 years and 35 issues, Publisher / Editor Brian Morrissey took a year off to explore China. For this latest issue, Morrissey engaged a guest editor, Erika King, a student of literature and art history at Bennington College in Vermont. Her internship is the latest in many transitions for Poesy.

Morrissey began Poesy’s journey when he was fourteen and living on the east coast. Since that first edition, Morrissey’s vision has never flagged. He wanted his literary journal to be the best on the market, one that provides photographic and poetic adventures into the unknown for readers in every issue. After his move to the west coast, Morrissey was concerned that Poesy might become regional in flavor and interest instead of reflecting the work of poets across America. He contacted poet and journalist, Doug Holder, who became the east coast editor. Their editorial collaboration produced the results Morrissey wanted.

This latest issue features breathtaking photographs in black and white that effectively capture the spirit of the poetry. In Poesy, the poetry, photographs, interviews, and commentaries become the stars through simple-yet-striking presentation. Work by 16 poets and 5 photographers blend beautifully to reflect the harsh truths, stark sorrows, fragmented souls, and joy hungry spirits that comprise our chaotic world. Also memorable is an article by Doug Holder about Harris Gardner, the real estate broker and substitute teacher who single handedly founded the Boston Poetry Festival. Erika King’s interview with the Guerilla Poets Project so intrigued me that I checked their website. The GPP is a consortium of small presses, poets, and writers who want poetry to matter again, with or without sales. To that end they disperse broadsides throughout the world for readers to discover as a surprise when they purchase books or check them out from libraries.

Taken as a whole, Poesy is an exceptional journal created by visionaries. Its very simplicity inspired excitement in this old poet-writer-reviewer-photographer on many levels. From the editors to the poets and photographers to the layout, this journal is unique and highly recommended.

Laurel Johnson for Midwest Book Review