Here you will find delicate leaves of contemplation as well as broad seasons unfolding in landscape and poet, vividly rendered with pinpoint observation and the tenderest of hearts. Some poems feel as current as an incoming tweet; others resound like a monk-struck antique gong. Never self-consciously imitative, his is a mature voice well-sanded to simplicity, with the love of his beloved woven sensually throughout. Mike reaches beyond the “muscled heat of the young hawk’s wing” to the social world, showing us “a son of labor,” and the work of the revolution, but ultimately, his greater gifts to us are those of the spirit. He speaks of “the holy mission,” “the great forgiving,” “the vast mercy,” and reminds us, “it’s not important/ to hear yourself think but more/to hear yourself pray.” How lucky we are that he heard himself, and wrote for us “this frayed book of prayer.” – Irene O’Garden, Off-Broadway playwright, Pushcart winner, author of Fulcrum: Selected Poems to simplicity, with the love of his beloved woven sensually throughout. Mike reaches beyond the “muscled heat of the young hawk’s wing” to the social world, showing us “a son of labor,” and the work of the revolution, but ultimately, his greater gifts to us are those of the spirit. He speaks of “the holy mission,” “the great forgiving,” “the vast mercy,” and reminds us, “it’s not important/ to hear yourself think but more/to hear yourself pray.” How lucky we are that he heard himself, and wrote for us “this frayed book of prayer.” – Irene O’Garden. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: President, Calling All Poets, New Paltz, NY and producer of CAPSCASTS, performances from Calling All Poets Series. Features & CD reviews appear in All About Jazz (August 2017 – ) & the Van Wyck Gazette. He loves Emily most of all.
Book Author: Mike Jurkovic
A 2016 Pushcart nominee, Mike’s poetry and music reviews have been published globally but with little reportable income. Full length collections include mooncussers, (Luchador Press 2022); AmericanMental, (Luchador Press 2020). Blue Fan Whirring (Nirala Press, 2018) Anthologies: Calling All Poets 20th Anniversary Anthology, (CAPS Press); Reflecting Pool: Poets & the Creative Process (Codhill Press, 2018); Like Light: 25 Years of Poetry & Prose (Bright Hill Press, 2018) among others. Now in its 23rd year, he serves as President of Calling All Poets. CD reviews online at All About Jazz and Lightwood. Mike serves as chairman of the curated Music Fan Series, Rosendale Theater. He hosts New Jazz Excursions alternating Saturdays 10am-12pm on WIOX 91.3FM, Roxbury, NY. Streaming live at wioxradio.org. The Rock n Roll Curmudgeon appeared in Rhythm and News Magazine, 1996-2003.