The History of Tree Roots - Softcover

Howerton, Phillip

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1936135183 ISBN 13: 9781936135189

Publisher: Golden Antelope Press, 2015

Synopsis

Although these poems are informed by a lifetime of living in the Ozarks, readers will not find the over-wrought sentimentality, tired stereotypes, or visions of an indestructible, primeval wilderness that have too often colored writing set in this region. Instead, these poems recognize the attributes and faults of the past and present, challenge the clichéd representations of place, and engage the experiences of small and independent farmers—a group largely ignored in depictions of the region. These poems also move beyond the Ozarks by addressing a number of universal concerns, such as urban sprawl, the devaluation of manual labor, a diminished sense of place, the loss of small communities, and the fragility of the natural environment.

About this title

Review

"The poems of Phil Howerton are quiet, witty, and sly, their images drawn from the thin soil but rich cultural substance of the poet's native Ozarks. Time and again these poems challenge readers to see Ozarkers, particularly elderly Ozarkers, as something other than flat, cardboard clichés. Like fellow rural poet Ted Kooser, Howerton possesses a distinctive gift for metaphor, and his comparisons lure us into epiphanies that increase our appreciation of personal dignity, humility, and a thoughtful regard for the natural world. His is a welcome voice in the chorus of contemporary American poetry." Craig Albin, Editor Elder Mountain: A Journal of Ozarks Studies "Howerton's poems are important works of cultural preservation, yet their strength comes from their capacity to speak to experiences that move us beyond region toward the universal." Jeffery Hotz, Editor EAPSU Online: A Journal of Critical and Creative Work

Edition details

• Publisher: Golden Antelope Press
• Publication date: 2015
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1936135183
• ISBN 13: 9781936135189
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 112