Circle's Apprentice

by Dan Beachy-Quick

Poetry. Dan Beachy-Quick has produced six collections of solo or collaborative poetry and a unique prose companion to Moby Dick. In the process, this amazingly productive writer has become recognized as one of the nation's most exciting dramatists of the mind in ferment, and of our urgent and ongoing connections with a tradition that extends back to the origins of literature. After a series of book-length poems, Beachy-Quick's new volume is as carefully structured as a suite of chamber music pieces, yet made of distinctly individual poems. "Dan Beachy-Quick's splendid new collection reveals the echoes between the measure of verse and the measure of time.... CIRCLE'S APPRENTICE vividly reminds us that all our human life may be marked by ritual but it is returned to us through song"--Susan Howe.

Genres: Poetry

86 pages, Paperback

First published May 15, 2011

Reviews

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I could not stop my hands clapping. I clapped and clapped. I clapped as in the dirt the bird collapsed, as worms grew wings, I clapped." (Arcadian)

This book of poems landed unexpectedly on my doormat, one morning a few days after my birthday. I read most of it aloud, and genuinely genuinely enjoyed it (particularly as it's been so long since I last read fresh poetry). I like the pacey vitality of Arcadian and the pretty repetitions of Hypothesis / Hymn ("The sun will rise tomorrow (I write this sentence in the light from this sun that rose today)).

A special and deeply meaningful collection that will stay on my bedside table a while longer.

[J.A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have trouble some times with poetry that follows form(s), but Dan Beachy-Quick always does so in such a way that I am sucked into his work - and his new collection is particularly apt at this stretching of form. A lovely read and very nicely produced by Tupelo.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

"When a stone is not a stone
When it is forbidden what is forbidden
I have this feeling in me I call sorrow
And it's not even mine"

[Liam Malone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most of the poems presented me with difficulties understanding them. But the collection will get a second read soon.