And he lives right here in Cleveland. Smith is having fun and creating meaning by moving the ancient Chinese poet (or his spirit) to the streets of Cleveland. He's working at the temp agency, washing dishes, and struggling with his family to get by and make some meaning of their lives."Tu Fu Comes to America is a compelling verse novel depicting the poignant realities of working immigrants. Smith’s spare, sturdy lines flash with Buddhist insight as Tu Fu strives to provide for his family in Cleveland, 'In the shopping bag, my work clothes./ On my back the white shirt Mei has ironed./ No yesterday or tomorrow, only now.'" -RAY MCNIECE, author of Our Way of Life: Poems
"In the winter of 770 CE, Tu Fu left this world. In Larry Smith’s fine narrative, he reappears in present day Cleveland. We see America through his eyes, through his contemplative heart. Hope, loss, friendship, love, the old quarrel with the world. Travel with him. Open your chest. Learn." —MAJ RAGAIN, author of Twist the Axe
The book comes from March Street Press in North Carolina, 60 pages...$9. You can order from them online or from Bottom Dog Press or pick up a copy at Mac's Backs Books...Smith will be reading at Sandusky on Sunday October 10th and at Mac's on October 16th.
3 comments:
Can't wait to read the chapter, er, poem in which TuFu meets Kung Fu's Kane.
Some real flashin' fightin' insight action I betcha.
Larry, when and where is the reading tomorrow?
Larry Smith will be reading from Tu Fu Comes to America during the Lix and Kix Poetry Extravaganza on December 15th 2010 (7 p.m.) at Bela Dubby Art Gallery & Beer Cafe, 13321 Madison Avenue in Lakewood, Ohio. Recent Lantern Award winner Eric Anderson (of Elyria) and the Wick Poetry Center's Nicole Robinson (of Kent) will be featuring that evening as well, and an open mic will follow. For more details, please visit our event page on Facebook.
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