Sean O'Brien (1) (1952–)

Part of my statement of poetics is that 21st century poetry should be written in such a way that not only literary professionals, but Everyman and Everywoman can relate to the words, meaning and emotions contained in the poetic form.

O'Brien's The Beautiful Librarians contains some lyrical and thought-provoking words but is, overall, too obscure for my taste in poetry.

63/2020. All Europa and no bull, if you know what I mean.

"The grass moves on the mass graves.
How many divisions has the grass
At this discreet perpetual exercise?"

O'Brien's poetry has the contours of a rusty iron hull. Tough and solid, pocketed with moments of deep existential yearning and coupled with a prophetic voice that calls into account divisive and unjust social stratification. Rare is there such a marriage of acute intellectual self awareness and social consciousness.

Heard this recommended as stories inspired by the M.R. James tradition, and so they are, to a degree. There are some dark, creepy libraries, mysterious academics, unclear dreary fates ... well worth a read.