First review of my chapbook: The Longest Compass

By Paul Merchant- poet, translator, professor, William Stafford archivist

Donald Rumsfeld was frustrated by the "old Europe," where history is made gradually rather than in haste. By contrast, John Sibley Williams has gathered in The Longest Compass a sequence of poems celebrating those mature cultures. Moving from Vienna and Prague to Turkey and Greece, these subtle, perceptive poems enact a journey into a hard-won appreciation. They move from the bewilderment of "flowers without names" and "the wilderness below the surface" to gracious acceptance in the final poem, "Foreigner": "Comfort me, ignorance. / All these tongues / detach, reunite, / roll me in their mouth."

The early poems in this collection are illuminated by love for the poet's companion, and by the end we see the same love expressed in particulars: "Imagine mastering a landscape, even a single stairway." This poet has a tender heart, and can turn a memorable phrase. "Why fret the vastness of the world?" he says in the prefatory poem, in which "the world / fits snugly an eye socket, / is the size of the last dime / in your pocket / you've been saving / to quench your thirst." These poems have traveled a long way, and come to us loaded with experience. The Longest Compass is full of fresh and novel poems that unpack old secrets.

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The Longest Compass is due out later in 2011 by Finishing Line Press.

John Sibley Williams: Agent & Publicist

Dear fellor writers and friends,

To help support emerging and established poets and writers, especially those in our shared local community, I have set up a marketing and publicity agency geared toward those who want to ensure that their work reaches the largest possible audience, that their manuscript find publication, and that they have time to simply write without the burden of everything else involved in the publishing process.


More information can be found at www.johnsibleywilliams.wordpress.com.


Warmly,

John Sibley Williams


Bio:

John Sibley Williams is a poet and agent/publicist residing in Portland, OR. He has two Master’s Degrees (Creative Writing and Book Publishing) and has served as Acquisitions Manager of Ooligan Press and freelance agent/publicist for Three Muses Press, Carpe Articulum Literary Review, HoboEye, and individual authors. John has also worked with organizations, such as the Regional Arts and Culture Council.


His poetry was nominated for the 2009 Pushcart Prize and won the 2011 Heart Poetry Award. His chapbooks include A Pure River (The Last Automat Press, 2010), Door, Door (Red Ochre Press, 2011), From Colder Climates (Folded Word, forthcoming), The Longest Compass (Finishing Line Press, forthcoming), and The Art of Raining (The Knives Forks and Spoons Press, forthcoming). Some of his over 200 previous or upcoming publications include: The Evansville Review, RHINO, Rosebud, Ellipsis, Flint Hills Review, and Poetry Quarterly. John cofounded the Inflectionist poetry movement and works with the Moonlit Poetry Caravan critique group. He frequently performs his poetry and hosts discussions and workshops. His schedule is listed on his site, The Art of Raining.com.

Poets and Artists!

Poets and Artists has just published two of my poems with accompanying audio recordings on their online journal.

Click HERE to give them a read and listen! They're listed on the right sidebar.

The Delinquent- Issue 14

Issue 14 of The Delinquent, a UK-based publisher of short stories and poetry, is now available for purchase as a $1.50 download or $5 print edition! It's an attractive, 118 page book, containing two of my poems.

CLICK HERE to give it a read!

The Trouble With Resonance XIX

I recently rediscovered a chapbook manuscript I was working on a year or two ago, tweaked and edited it, and began submitting portions of it this morning to various journals. The book is titled "The Trouble With Resonance" and is a very experimental work based on human attempts to approach the mathematically-impossible concept of squaring a circle and realizing in architecture and art nature's Golden Ratio. Definitions of these are below.

Good news? Within a few hours, Calliope Nerve accepted and published the last poem in the collection, Section XIX. CLICK HERE to give it a read!

Squaring a circle: Ancient geometers have proved impossible the task of precisely converting the area of a circle into a square in a finite number of steps with a compass and straightedge. As pi is a transcendental number, squaring is doomed to non-perfect accuracy, though man will never cease his attempts.

Golden Ratio: Two quantities are in the golden ratio if the ratio between the sum of those quantities and the larger one is the same as the ratio between the larger one and the smaller. In mathematics, it is the best known irrational constant. In the arts, this proportion is historically considered harmonious and aesthetically pleasing, spurring entire artistic and scientific movements.

Psychic Meatloaf Issue 3 out now!

Issue 3 of Psychic Meatloaf is now available! I'm honored that it contains two of my poems. Similarly, I had work published in Issue 2, and the poetry in this journal is often quite striking and the voices unique. I'd suggest picking one up, and certainly not just for my work!

CLICK HERE to order a copy!

BluePrint

When BluePrintReview editor, Dorothee Lang, discovered that two pairs of Issue 27 collaborators (Farfel Lombard with Rosemary Lombard and Staci Cole and I) lived in the Portland, Oregon, area and that Rosemary and I were friends, she suggested we blog about it. In fact, I was recently honored to present a discussion on my poetry process to Last Monday Poetry, which Rosemary co-directs.

Both Rosemary and I got the idea to submit from a mutual friend, Anatoly Molotkov (fine poet, novelist, musician, artist), when he posted the journal information on Facebook. If, back at submittal time we had mentioned sending our work to BluePrintReview, we wouldn't have been so surprised when it converged in a journal on the other side of the far ocean.

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Process:

The artwork for “Overtures” had already been completed by Staci Cole. When I saw the piece, I felt an immediate emotional resonance and also believed there was a story hidden within it— the ambiguity of poetry and concreteness of fiction. I set out to compose a poem wholly within my own style, using my own tropes, that both matched the mood of the piece and provided it with a literary context.

We have used this process on another work together and hope to eventually build a hybrid chapbook series of art/poem conversations similar to “Overtures”. Staci is also working on the cover art for my upcoming chapbook, The Longest Compass, due out late 2011/early 2012 by Finishing Line Press.

My Chapbook Door, Door is now out!

I'm honored to announce my e-chapbook, Door, Door, is now available for FREE pdf viewing via Red Ochre Lit.

Click HERE to give it a read!

Door, Door is a 5-poem chapbook with a specific structure and theme and investigation (or so it seems to me).

I truly hope you enjoy it.

And do contact me (jswilliams1307@gmail.com) if you'd like a limited edition, signed and numbered, hand-made version of Door, Door. I only made 30 of them to provide at my readings, but I'd love for them to fly both near and far. Only $3 to cover the cost of materials.

From Colder Climates- my new chapbook

I’m honored that Folded Word Press has just accepted my chapbook, From Colder Climates, for late 2011 publication!

It will be published as a ‘Green’ print edition, which is a cost-effective and earth-friendly hand-made edition, as well in e-chapbook format. I’d like to thank the editors for their incredibly kind words and support.

Psychic Meatloaf Isse 3

Psychic Meatloaf has just accepted two of my newer poems for publication in Issue 3, due out online and in print April 2011. They were kind enough to publish my work in Issue 2 also, so I'm particularly excited to create a lasting relationship with the press. I'll let you know when the issue is out.

The 100th Monkey Studio art opening and reading

To kick off the opening of The 100th Monkey Studio's new art exhibition, Recycle Reuse, A. Molotkov, David Cooke, Bruce Greene, and I will be presenting our poetry, likely with musical accompanyment. Come by to check out the new exhibition, stay for the poetry...

When: Friday, April 1, 7-9pm
Where: The 100th Monkey Studio
110 Southeast 16th Avenue, Portland, OR

Young American Poets

My poem "Psalm Two" is now available at Young American Poets.

Click HERE to give it a read!

Accents Publishing

Accents Publishing has just accepted two of my short poems for inclusion in their new anthology! It will be both in print and online beginning later in 2011.

The Henniker Review

The Henniker Review, a journal of art and literature from New England College, has just accepted my poem "Traveling Through the Rust Belt" for publication in their 2010-2011 annual print edition! Details to follow when it's released.

Door, Door- My new chapbook!

I'm honored to announce the upcoming publication of my new e-chapbook! Door, Door is a 5 poem chapbook to be published in April 2011 by Red Ochre Press.

It will be available in a free online pdf format from the Press (click HERE).

I will also be hand-making a limited edition version of Door, Door, available soon. It will only be $3, simply to cover the cost of materials. Please let me know if you'd like one!

Symmetry Pebbles

Symmetry Pebbles, an online poetry journal for edgy, risk-taking poetry, has just published three of my poems in their latest issue, just out today.

Click HERE to read the poems!

Calliope Nerve

Calliope Nerve, an online venue for exciting, edgy poetry and chapbooks, has just published 5 of my poems. They're part of my ongoing, book-length series titled Controlled Hallucinations.

Click HERE to read them!

BluePrint Review

BluePrint Review, a online poetry and art journal in Germany, has accepted my poem "Overtures" for publication in Issue 27: Synergetic Transformations.

This piece was composed to be in conversation with an artistic piece created by Staci M. Cole, and both the artwork and poem will be published in this issue.

Last Monday Reading and Discussion

Here's the flyer for my upcoming reading/discussion in Hillsboro. Hope to see some of you there! Alongside the poetry reading, there will be a discussion about the process and perspective behind the process, a Q&A about publishing poetry, and an open mic!

Five Poetry Journal

Five Poetry Journal has just accepted three new poems for an upcoming online publication. The poems are part of my book length series titled Controlled Hallucinations, which use numbers instead of titles. However, the journal prefers titles, so time for some brainstorming...

I'll post when they're available for view...

This Week's Poem

The Torch

Be with me, Kabir,
when the gray clouds bring their far-away greetings
in that language of storm.

Translate upon my hardened fingers
what they have done, upon my heart
what it stubbornly loved.

Weave me a thin russet blanket
I can vanish into each night,
trek unseen the dream sands as a Bedouin,

with a torch I can call sun.
But keep its fabric lithe
so I recognize through it day’s light.

Tell me just enough of the truth
that I continue battling up the mountain,
just enough and no more

water, so I still thirst,
love, so I still desire,
shadow, so I still weep.



(published by Exercise Bowler)

Poetry Reading and Discussion at Multnomah County Library

A. Molotkov, Bruce Greene, and I will be presenting a poetry reading followed by Q&A discussion on the art of poetry composition at the Northwest Branch of the Multnomah County Library as part of the Third Wednesday series. Library contact info: 503.988.5560.

When: March 16, 2011 from 7-8pm
Where: Northwest Branch of Multnomah County Library
2300 N.W. Thurman Street
Portland, OR 97210

spokensong reading on Sunday, March 6

A. Molotkov and I will be reading at spokensong, a new monthly poetry and music event curated by local poet Rick J. I'm looking forward to trying out some new material, poems from my two ongoing book projects, and if you missed Tola's powerful reading last night at Blackbird Wineshop, this will be your chance.
I hope to see you there.

When: Sunday, March 6 @ 7pm
Where: Three Friends Coffeehouse, 201 Southeast 12th Avenue Portland

This Week's Poem

It is not you

It is not you I have lost
crossing the road
to taste this other dream
of myself,
following a whisper
of butterfly.

Lifting this stone
the same love-creatures
struggling beneath
stare up with the same
magnificent eyes-
up through me.

And in them still
clouds draw back
exposing the sky’s pink flesh.
Naked before you
it is not you
who are naked
chasing the unfulfilled
and not you

this stone butterfly long
will rest upon.


(published in Euphony)

Barnwood International

Barnwood International Poetry Magazine has just accepted my poem "Don't worry" for future publication. "Don't worry" is part of my ongoing book project titled Controlled Hallucinations, which is presently about half-completed. I'll post when the poem has been published and is available.

Anemone Sidecar

I'm honored that Anemone Sidecar, an international literary online journal of stylistic, word-driven, avant garde, experimental or progressive poetry, has just accepted my poems "When I go there" and "We all arrive by different streets" for an upcoming issue! Both poems are part of the chapbook I just completed, titled The Middle Door...

This Week's Poem

White Space

Beneath the long shadows of crosses and crows
that shade the slopes of passing hills
the white space I have left around this experience
explodes into a smile of oaks—

the page is a blur with unspeak—

there is an audience to every song,
especially the parts unsung:
the stamen
the conversation—

the giant crosses overlooking nothing, then wheat,
are smaller than even the faintest human touch
and the scars left by crows are only visible
when nobody is left to see them.

I want to write nothing,
so much nothing the entire audience
explodes in Ozark flowers.


(published in Rosebud)

amphibi.us

amphibi.us, an online journal, has just accepted and published my poem "I Say I Sing".

Click HERE to read the poem!

The Oklahoma Review

The Oklahoma Review, an electronic literary journal at Cameron University, has just accepted two of my poems for publication in May: "In the Hills of San Luis Obispo County" and "March 4th".

This Week's Poem

A Pure River

Having escaped westward-
following the traditional headwinds-
finally I am resting,
eyes closed, upon the horizon,
exhausted from seeing
forever forward
resurrection
and the dream of resurrection.

Below me coils
mountain water clear
and silent
which I know
must one day diffuse
with a world disordered –
salt and ship.

But for now
clarity
as in transparency.
Silence
as in a perfect pitch.

May my hands forever be
a pure river
I do not recognize.


-published by The Chaffey Review and in my chapbook, A Pure River