Randall R. Freisinger

Rockwell's paintings are almost narrative illustrations of nostalgic (albeit idealized) Americana. Freisinger's poems are the same; long lines, narrative poems, telling the story of the painting in verse. Depending on your taste, these poems could be described as poignant or overly-precious--to pick the right adjective would be to make an aesthetic posture. Though anyone hoping to find something different about a book of poems inspired by Norman Rockwell, clearly doesn't know the work of Rockwell. These poems don't do anything new and exciting for the work; don't make you see it in a new or different way. But they are a nice compliment to the work. If the painting are your afternoon tea, the poems are sweet little sugar cookies to go with them.… (plus d'informations)

What to say...This poet is very gifted, however I found the poems to be so heart wrenching I could only read it in tiny bites at a time. I love Norman Rockwell's work. I love it because the pictures make me think of better times and happy times. I do not want to dwell on bad, life has that to hand out in large quantity everyday we live.I took this quote from the poem The Runaway, "the angina-like press of routine that often wakes him at night and leaves him frightened and barely able to breath" this one left my heart pounding with the fear of just everyday life...is this right? I think I would rather read things that help me get through the next and the next day. It's popular now to read depressing things and controversial things..so read on if you are the tipical in this area. I prefer lovely things that help me to go on another day.… (plus d'informations)

I once read that the test of a good poem was if one took time to read it aloud to a friend. I did exactly that; I read it to my grandmother, a huge Rockwell fan. I read "Christmas Homecoming" to her. This is a wonderful small collection (10 poems) of poems that work on their own, apart from the visual reference of the paintings. I enjoyed the tapestry of allusions and evocative images: her sturdy shoes resting on the spine of Mein Kampf. I found reading the poem to my grandmother was a rewarding exercise, but when I was finished she simply said, "I don't get it." Of course, she went on to explain that she didn't get how these functioned as poems since they didn't rhyme. The stretching narrative of the poems may be lost on those who like to simply gaze at Rockwell's paintings and wistfully yearn for nostalgia. I am not necessarily a fan of Rockwell or the era he represents, but I enjoy the challenge of responding to art with another genre, and this book did not disappoint.… (plus d'informations)