Tape for the Turn of the Year

Rating:
Summary: A New Year's Poem
Review: This book length poem was written with several things in mind. First, the title is literal. Ammons wanted to write a poem confined in length and width by composing the entire poem on a roll of adding machine tape, and the result was a diary of the last part of one year and the beginning of another.

Ammons seems to be at very ease with the notion of composing poetry, bringing forth an informal voice, probably a necessary step for such a long poem with such a purpose, and draws in the reader with a confidence that is refreshing. he breaks down the structure of the poem and uses deceptively simple, and straight forward language to mark the passing of time. Broken by days, Ammon expresses the essence of the poet's mind, allowing for the day's mood to dictate not only tone, but length and scope within the writing.

I feel very at home with this poem. I feel like sitting in a rocker with some classical piano music in the background whenever I open this book. I only regret that cannot find time to read this book as often as I would like. Re-released to coincide with Ammon's book, Garbage, Tape for the turn is a wonderful book with quite a few quiet revelations that will keep you thinking all day long.