After the Earthquake: Poems 1996-2006

By Martina Newberry

Book Overview

The poems in this remarkable collection speak of those things that linger from the past and carry through to the present and into the future: violence, war, love, anger, yearning, the fragility of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1425750788
• ISBN13: 9781425750787
• Release Date: March 2007
• Publisher: Xlibris
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.54 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Excellent & Haunting

I say "Haunting". A lot of younger folks use the term "trippy". Like most of Martina Newberry's works - whatever you think about AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE - you will continue to think it, long after you've put down the book. This book gets under your skin; deep into your conscience, and sort of "hangs around awhile" asking questions & getting pleasantly lost in the potential answers. One of the most unusual books I've read, AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE is organic, ambiguous, personable, disturbing, and easily habit-forming. I've read, & re-read this book in a variety of settings & moods, often walking away with a slightly different take; as though I'd just spoken with a different person than last time's. I would recommend this book to any free-thinking adult reader or writer. poetry lives!

Words that cut and kiss; phrases that hiss their pain and tear apathy asunder.

I seldom read every poem all the way through in a book of poems. Even though I love good poetry and even if I happen to admire the work of the poet I am reading. Unless the first line or two grabs me, I'll flip through the pages until something hits me in the heart or gut. Martina Newberry's "After the Earthquake" slammed me blow by blow through every page, start to finish. I had to read every line. Rare is the poet who can attack a subject, idea or concept with such poetic savagery ... and yet do it with such finesse. Everything from humor and wittiness to outright rage and profane social indictment is contained in this poignant collection of writings. I highly recommend it. Marvin D. Wilson, author, I ROMANCED THE STONE (Memoirs of a Recovering Hippie)

In a time of war

Among the many beautiful poems of this book, "Jack's Addiction" is an example of Newberry's confidently idiomatic voice. It frankly begins: "This is a poem about Love" and ends "Don't let anyone say it isn't." And in between, the poet argues with fierce precision for the all the blessings that get left uncounted, including a cello lesson and construction site fences. And in "Another October," the poet addresses the book's most urgent theme, war, observing: "We render ourselves speechless with horror / helpless in anger." In this poem, the poet implores her daughter (and everyone else who is inheriting this world) to "make it your own." Newberry's anger at war makes this book all but glow with the hope for justice. As "Fall Air Tastes Like Whiskey" explains, the dying milkweed and the scent of gin and tonic on a hot autumn day cannot fully quench the desire to see things set right, to be as they should be, even as the poet is obliged to welcome the season in as it is, even though it can't be done.

"After The Earthquake."

Fans of Martina Newberry will certainly be impressed with her latest book of poetry, "After the earthquake." Ms. Newberry definately writes from the gut, talking about past loves, a lack of money and other always timely subjects. But really, her tales about her life could belong to almost anybody and at times, the author has a way of digging deep into the souls of people and making one aware of feelings one didn't know were there. Although it would be difficult (if not downright impossible) to claim a favorite poem, I'd like to leave you with this one: "Out of sleep comes consequence. Out of pain comes reminsicence. Out of stock pots come soup. I'm not particularly found of any of those things."

A Passionate Journey...

Reading Martina Newberry's poetry reminded me of the moments in my life that have shaped who I am. She describes pain and loss, love and lust, jealousy and forgiveness in a way that will take you to your moment in time. Her raw emotions and sometimes nonchalant way of looking at the world give you insight to what she has been through and what she has felt and it may not be all that foreign to you. From spirituality to a city beat--- her poetry is a ride!