Problematica: New and Selected Poems 1995-2020 - Hardcover

Murray, George

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1770415335 ISBN 13: 9781770415331

Publisher: Misfit Book, 2021

Synopsis

A best-of collection from one of Canada's most ambitious poets

Problematica -- a scientific term used to describe species that defy classification. See unidentifiable.

George Murray is a strange beast. Lauded as one of Canada's leading poets, his work has been published around the world, but here at home, he has never really "fit in" with his contemporaries. By turns archly formal and thoughtful, insouciant and hilarious, each of his six books seems intent on staking out its own identity, standing alone in stark contrast to all others.

Yet, in this judicious selection of new and selected poems spanning Murray's 25-year career, we see threads and patterns emerge like fractals. From early narrative poems to lyrical explorations of the metaphysical to investigations of the colloquial and contemporary, Murray's work roams a landscape that includes everything from happiness to regret, love to loss, doubt to faith, anxiety to acceptance.

This collection not only represents the best of Murray's earlier poems, but also surprises readers with a section of never-before-seen new work, revealing a life spent wrestling with what it means to arrive, live, and leave. Problematica is a considerable body of poetry from a mind that obsessively wanders the edges of thought and language, working to identify what boundaries may or may not exist.

About this title

About the Author

George Murray is the award-winning author of eight books of poems and aphorisms as well as a book for children. His poems have appeared in magazines and journals around the world. He grew up in rural Ontario and has spent time abroad in Italy, Mexico, and New York City but now calls St. John's, Newfoundland, his home.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Places, EveryoneIt is late, and you are always latearriving, and the bell has rungand the lobby lights are flashing—so, watch the crowd to seewhere you’re supposed to go.Track the shapes of those aheadlooking to find a seat, filingthrough the dark beyond the doors,but stopping before the curtains.It was a mad rush getting here,but now it’s out of your hands,and soon the spotlights will risewith everyone in their properplaces and the tale will be told.It is time to make your lastbreath deep enough to recounthow all went in its entirety,the story of how you came to bestanding here in line at the will-call,late and waiting on a ticketreserved in your name for a showyou aren’t even sure is still running,and of which you heard only one thing—there will be no intermission.

Edition details

• Publisher: Misfit Book
• Publication date: 2021
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1770415335
• ISBN 13: 9781770415331
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 216