Billy Corgan: the poetry book.

"my own impermanence haunts me"........

Having risen to fame during the grunge era in the early 90s, Billy Corgan is among the most respected figures of the alternative rock world—a visionary artist who, over a decade later, still commands a devoted following.

Long admired for his evocative songwriting, Corgan here embarks on a deeper exploration of literary terrain as a poet. Full of “the regretful melancholy of his music [and] the rhythmic, angular wordplay of his best Pumpkins lyrics" (Jeff Vrabel, Chicago Sun-Times), the poems in this collection form an imagistic journey through the intensely personal as Corgan throws into sharp relief issues of love, loss, identity, and loyalty. Crafted with a thoughtful and cadenced approach that shares the same allegiance to thunder and quiet found in his music, these writings further solidify Corgan’s place as the voice of a generation.

"it's the title of billy corgan's first book of poetry. yes, billy corgan. the man, the musical legend, the craftsman of such beauty and sorrow that i can laugh and cry and be angry and stand admist a righteous and valid rage. i feel the truth of so many emotions and events and memories in my life and attach meaning to so many experiences because someone, somewhere sat with those same thoughts and feelings and wrote what my mind and my heart meant and inspire me to say something that will make a difference to some soul on the same plain as my own.

i ordered the book last week and it came in the mail today. already i'm captured by his words.

go buy this book. if you like poetry. if you like billy corgan. if you like smashing pumpkins, or zwan, or a good read. if you've ever been alive. if you're breathing right now and you feel that the world is a million different kinds of places at once this book is for you."

'If you've ever been dead' would be more entertaining.

Kurt Loder: "Casualty doesn't mean that."
Jewel: "FUCK YOU KURT I'LL EAT YOUR CHILDREN! I'LL RIP YOUR HEAD OFF AND SHIT DOWN YOUR NECK! YOU FUCKING DIE!"
etc.

life's a draaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaggggggg!!!!!

Book Description
"I'm sure I never said to myself: 'Now, Jim--why don't you sit down and write a poem.' It's still a mystery to me, but I think probably it's something that happened by accident--like a lot of things have happened in my life."

So begins this delightful collection of poetry by America's best-loved actor, Jimmy Stewart. Interspersed with vivid recollections and charming illustrations, the poems document a life that isn't too different from yours or mine.

Jimmy Stewart won the hearts of generations of movie viewers with a confused innocence and stammering delivery that made his acting seem genuine and effortless. Somehow he managed to make the boy next door into a national hero. Now, in Jimmy Stewart and His Poems, the consummate Everyman shares tales from his everyday life.

From fishing trips and dog stories to a hilarious account of a photo safari where the camera was lost to a hungry hyena, the poems are related in Jimmy Stewart's inimitable voice and are enlivened with charming illustrations.
        
The book confirms what we all expected--that the real Jimmy Stewart is every bit as endearing as the film characters he's portrayed. Jimmy Stewart and His Poems is a perfect gift, one that fans will treasure as much as Jimmy Stewart's timeless performances.

Despite all my rage
My solo album will be new age.

-FIN-

Camouflage

A gay man
is sitting in
a hotel lobby
  smoking
a cigarette.
He stomachs my
breasts dutifully
like spinach or lima beans
or other things that
make one sick
because he fears
the red-necks
  at the bar
are onto him.

camouflage

I tape
branches and leaves
to my body
and hide
behind the bushes
used as landscaping
outside of
public pools.

waiting quietly for
the perfect moment
to drop a
baby ruth
into the water

Somehow, because it's not quite as bad as Jewel, it's actually worse.

Who wrote the second poem by the way? I rather like it.

Suddenly I understand him.

"Especially Siamese Dream if nothing else."

Amen.

but, you know, I gotta say that I marvel at the man's phenomenal ability to not be self-conscious and full of self-doubt about the often ridiculous and sub-par stuff he releases. perhaps this can be described as egotism, perhaps ignorance, or maybe it's just called "believing in oneself." And scarily enough, it may be the latter of these-- not actual talent-- that separates the movers and shakers from the rest of us.

OTM