Playing the Black Piano

Rating:
Summary: Music, Death, Love, and Lemon Merengue Pie
Review: At the end of the day, it's what the poetry does to you, not the bases it touches to please the critics and academics. Read this book. These are poems to mull, consider, weigh. They come from a mind and a heart and soul as deep as you'll likely ever encounter. Think only of the ones who mean the most to you, that is how Holm poetically dwells in this collection. The stories cover the disconnect in American (i.e. US) life fostered by the mistaken notion that we own something/anything, especially the corporate monster. He reflects on how transient the time is we have with those who impact us most and how lasting their memory is. A friend dies of Aids. Death sits in a straight back chair waiting for him as he rediscovers Haydn. Beethoven, Mozart and Schubert walk across the background of the mirror in which he surveys what has happened in his life. An MRI and the simple minded attendant provoke replies of a life well considered, and supremely annoyed by the ephemeral.
Never knew anything about Holm until I was given this by Thuy. I have read and re-read these poems and expect to do so with whatever time I have left. Holm advises you to play your music now. As his friend admonishes, "Eat dessert first. Life is short and uncertain."

Rating:
Summary: Poetry Readings
Review: I just went to my first poetry reading tonight. The poet was Bill Holm, reading and discussing his newest work, "Playing the Black Piano", at Zandbroz Variety, in downtown Fargo, ND. I have always wanted to attend one but never could work one into my schedule. I was thinking of going to a movie but chose to attend the poetry reading instead and found it a very fulfilling way to spend a hour or so on a Saturday night. I guess I'am reacting more so to the poetry reading then the actual book. But one of the themes, Bill Holm wanted to get across was to enjoy some of the simpler things in life. Step aside and take in a poetry reading or just spend some time alone reading poetry. It worked for me I bought a copy of, "Playing the Black Piano" and a CD of the poet reading some of his work. And having read only about half the book I'am on Amazon already looking for more of Bill Holm's writings.

Rating:
Summary: Poetry Readings
Review: I just went to my first poetry reading tonight. The poet was Bill Holm, reading and discussing his newest work, "Playing the Black Piano", at Zandbroz Variety, in downtown Fargo, ND. I have always wanted to attend one but never could work one into my schedule. I was thinking of going to a movie but chose to attend the poetry reading instead and found it a very fulfilling way to spend a hour or so on a Saturday night. I guess I'am reacting more so to the poetry reading then the actual book. But one of the themes, Bill Holm wanted to get across was to enjoy some of the simpler things in life. Step aside and take in a poetry reading or just spend some time alone reading poetry. It worked for me I bought a copy of, "Playing the Black Piano" and a CD of the poet reading some of his work. And having read only about half the book I'am on Amazon already looking for more of Bill Holm's writings.