Charles North

News, Poetry and Poplars

Poetry. "Charles North writes urban idylls: fragments of perceptions, things seen and thought about: 'Exfoliating the leather of a wallet stuffed with dry goods.' Wit is never distant from the scenes he invents, a metaphysical wit suggestive of Marvell, and one that is not satirical, but informed with pity. His joy in words, and the things words adumbrate, is infectious: we catch a contagion of enlightenment. To me, he is the most stimulating poet of his generation" -James Schuyler.

Poems

The Year of the Olive Oil

Poetry. Charles North's poetry has received numerous honors, including two NEA grants and four Fund for Poetry Awards. In his new collection CANDENZA, he displays all the qualities that made the Washington Post call him "one of the most memorable contemporary poeets. "...In CANDENZA, he moves in, around, and about everyday life with an improvisatory elan that soon becomes an almost familiar tune, sung to the friend you become every time you lend an ear. The direction is true North; the vintage just right"--Charles Bernstein.

Cadenza

A selection of poems by the veteran American surrealist of suburbia.

The Nearness of the Way You Look Tonight

Poetry. James Schuyler wrote of Charles North's poetry: His joy in words, and the things words adumbrate, is infectious: we catch a contagion of enlightenment. To me, he is the most stimulating poet of his generation. Over the years since North's first published work, LINEUPS (1972), fellow poets and critics have concurred that North's poetry is one of beautiful availability, that is interested in (as the poet puts it) Playing off expectations, in both small and large ways. This book includes work from all of North's major publications--LINEUPS, ELIZABETHAN & NOVA SCOTIAN MUSIC, SIX BUILDINGS, LEAP YEAR: POEMS 1968-1978, and THE YEAR OF THE OLIVE OIL--as well as new poetry.

New & Selected Poems

James Schuyler on Charles North: To me, he is the most stimulating poet of his generation.

New and Selected Poems

What it is Like

Poetry. "The most stimulating poet of his generation."--James Schuyler "He belongs on the summit of our American Parnassus."--Harry Mathews "One of the most memorable of contemporary poets."--The Washington Post

Early and Uncollected Poems

North of the Charles

"Everything and Other Poems" is a new collection of poetry by Charles North. North has published eleven books of poems, three books of critical prose, and collaborations with artists and other poets. With James Schuyler, he edited the poet/painter anthologies "Broadway" and "Broadway 2." His "New and Selected: What It Is Like" headed NPR's Best Poetry Books of 2011, and he has received a Foundation for Contemporary Arts Grant, two NEA grants, four Fund For Poetry Awards, and a Poets Foundation Award. He lives with his wife, the painter Paula North, in New York City. More info at charles-north.com"--

Everything and Other Poems

Robert Smietana

We often struggle to answer the question: What is the right thing to do here? Good Intentions suggests that it is possible to do good in economic matters if we begin with the right assumptions (and begins to ask the right questions): —Is greed ever good? —How can we give poor kids a million bucks? —How did Ben and Jerry get so rich? —Is capitalism ruining the environment? —Do immigrants take American jobs? Our actions can produce outcomes that reflect what we value.

Charles North

Books

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