Bøger af Rich Follett

"Constance Stadler and Rich Follett remind us that poetry is not some solitary, solipsistic pursuit. Rather, it is a dialogic and social activity, one that involves collaboration, and yes, competition, but most importantly a conversation among the living, and with those whose voices have long since been silenced, but still echo across the ages through words inscribed on pages. Here they demonstrate the literary power of language made visible, and memory made palpable, summoning the demons of trauma and the angels of delight. But most of all they show us the strength we can gain from communing with the muses that are available to all of humanity, if we would only open ourselves up to their inspiration, as Stadler and Follett have done."~Lance Strate, author of First Letter of My Alphabet and Thunder at Darwin Station

...and it happened under cover was compiled as a kind of seduction; a titillating paean to open, honest lovemaking where partners can freely explore without shame or fear. We hope that these poem and prose offerings will entice readers to broaden their sexual horizons. We hope that they will inspire readers to explore shared fantasies where even the deepest, darkest desires can be mutually satisfied without guilt or regret Finally, we hope that they will encourage readers to embrace a new awareness where love can be confidently and joyously exchanged and nourished, brought out from under cover and into the light where love and sexuality belong.

From the Introduction The complex relationship between masculine and feminine, explored consistently throughout the history of poetry, offers fertile ground for collaborative creation. In discussion of the inherent possibilities we realized with astonishment that, in a milieu where authenticity is venerated as a hallmark of quality, the lion's share of published poems exploring this duality have been written from a singular rather than a dialogical perspective. The poems in this collection represent a resultant ongoing effort to break free from the bonds of such limitations; specifically, this is a collection of poetic dyads (responsorials) intended to reveal the myriad facets of the masculine/feminine adventure. - Rich Follett and Constance Stadler * This book includes an audio recording of the poets reading their work. Reviews "Responsorials is not only exciting for its poetic art but also for its diverse responses to this alterity of man and woman. The reader will be moved by the sentiments, surprised, and enlightened.">"The masculine-feminine dynamic is one of contrast, balance and enhancement. In Responsorials, Constance Stadler and Rich Follett have captured beautifully the inherent vulnerability and strength within each through a tender exchange of words." - Gillian Prew, author of standing still in motion and the idea of wings "A must-read for anyone who loves language and the exploration of (yin and yang) male and female within." - Maria Gornell, poet, published in the Shoots and Vines all female anthology I Can't Be Your Virgin and Your Mother "Interesting that the poets mention authority, and the desire to diminish it. This goal very much echoes their take on gender, as this state of co-validity: In these poems, the poets want to avoid staking claims on authority just as this version of gender co-validity avoids comparisons but rather sees strength in the disparate voices, permitted to exist alongside." - Lynn Alexander, poet and co-editor of Full of Crow "The exceptional collection Responsorials illustrates an extraordinary greatness, one of mimetic chanting from two equally dynamic vantage points by two rarities of the poetic world." - Felino Soriano, author of ten books of poetry, including the newly released Apperceptions of Reinterpretations and editor of Counterexample Poetics

About the author Rich Follett is a High School English, Theatre, and Mythology teacher who has been writing poems and songs for more than 35 years. His poems have been featured in numerous online and print journals, including "BlazeVox, Four Branches Press, The Montucky Review, Paraphilia, Exercise Bowler, Leaf Garden Press" and "CounterExample Poetics," for which he is a featured artist. He lives with his wife Mary Ruth Alred Follett in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, where he also pursues his interests as a professional actor, singer/songwriter, playwright and director. Reviews "Rich Follet's poetry is the poetry I want to be able to write, brave beyond the meaning of the word, it's content is so real and sharp that the meaning alone often takes my breath way, but that is just the half of it. He speaks of love, loss, pain and humanity, with words so beautiful they ache in your heart. He is the poet I aspire to be. Please just read him." Si Philbrook, poet "human &c. by Rich Follett traces the harmonies of our human experience. Words squeeze, seep, obtrude and collide like the traumas and exudations they describe." Geoffrey Gatza, author of "House of Forgetting" "human &c. weighs in the hand while it gives the heart wings. Filled with feathers, dreams and hope yet grounded in New England granite, roots of oak and the miracle of Naked Ladies. Follett's poems stretch back into the mythic, uplift and propel us into now to give with an overview of the depth of &c. Not a mere throw away three characters in the title but a sumptuous examination of the etcetera of human experience. Through these poems we share a buffet with Beowulf, we see ourselves in the warrior heart, recall the longing for flight which resides in our bones, split the mundane with the spin of a paper clip and tell us that healing is possible. These carefully considered words will glide you through the complexity of our humanity, our connection to earth and air, remind us that love is undeniable and hope buoys as we head into the future towards an understanding that love conquers all. Rich Follett's feather inspired griffonage will prompt you to celebrate our shared DNA and rouse you to live your life with all your humanity and &c." Coral Carter, poet, publisher, photographer

Rich Follett has recently returned to writing poetry after a thirty-year hiatus. He lives in the sacred and timeless Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, where he joyfully teaches English and Theatre Arts for high school students. His poems have appeared in numerous contemporary journals and e-zines including "BlazeVox, Paraphilia, Exercise Bowler, Calliope Nerve, Sugar Mule, Four Branches Press "and "Counterexample Poetics," for which he is a Featured Artist. He is the co-author of "Responsorials" (with Constance Stadler). Most recently, his haiku/photo combination "Aurora's Adieu" received first place honors in the first "international iPoetry Poe-Tography Competition." Reviews As a survivor, it removed that barrier in my heart that kept me from seeing men as my brothers in a shared legacy. As a poet, Follett, reminds me of what we are meant to do. "I'm following you, brother, and I'm listening."      - Lisa Alvarado, poet, novelist, author of "Raw Silk Suture" and "Sister Chicas" This is a poetry of conclusions, not interrogation. While the fashionable Mei-mei Berssenbrugge writes a long line so the reader cannot keep the whole line in his mind, Rich Follett terminally shortens his and thus becomes accessible.     - Duane Locke, author of 21 books of poetry and recipient of "The Edna St. Vincent Millay Prize, The Charles Agnoff Award," and "The Poetry Society of America s Walt Whitman Award" As a poet, Rich Follett is a chronological genius. In this, his collection of poems, "Silence, Inhabited," Follett himself self-summarizes these poems in a word: "surviving"     - Felino A. Soriano, author of 21 collections of poetry, including "Variant Tongues of the Conjunctive Application" Follett shatters the silence, without losing any of that expressiveness or wonder. Following a phoenix paradigm, Follett constructs flawless monuments to sound from the beautiful, bursting bones of the ruins he rises from; the result is an epic symphony heavy on emphatic truth and refreshingly bereft of the gossamer falsehoods that often compromise such bright flights.      -William Crawford, author of "Fire in the Marrow" and "Pushcart Prize "nominee. A stunningly deep dive into the psychological scar tissue of abuse. A soldiering in the cause of self preservation and reclamation. Warrior brave, purely painful and full of victory. Abuse has its most profound adverse emotional impact when left to fester deep in the soul's soil. This collection of poetry is an outline for the redemption of victims of abuse to the ends of going in as fully as the Word can go, and digging it out.     - Dan Kellett, poet, spoken word artist and track producer, music reviewer and radio show host For me, Rich Follett is everything a poet should be, bold in words, thoughts and honesty; skillful and artistic yet so accessible. The challenge he takes on here is brave beyond words. He explores and defeats the abuse he has suffered and emerges stronger, as does anyone who reads these stunning poems.     - Si Philbrook, poet, published in several journals including "Poetry" (UK)