Prettier Grit - by John Godfrey (Paperback)

About the Book

"PRETTIER GRIT by John Godfrey is a daring exploration of the contrasts and textures of modern life, weaving through the streets of personal and societal landscapes. This collection reflects Godfrey's keen eye for detail and his profound grasp on the rhythm of urban existence, merging the ordinary with the extraordinary. From the reflective solitude of "Drunk on Horizon" to the poignant urgency of "A Million Sandals for Myanmar," Godfrey's verse traverses a broad emotional and thematic spectrum. "Scofflaw SCOTUS" delivers sharp, unyielding commentary on contemporary politics, while "Juicy Fruit" captures the gritty, raw undercurrents of city life. Each poem in the collection is a tapestry of nuanced observations, philosophical musings, and stark realism, marked by Godfrey's signature lyrical prowess and intricate imagery. PRETTIER GRIT invites readers into a world where the visceral and the sublime coexist, challenging them to perceive the beauty in the harshness and the truths hidden in everyday facades-a testament to Godfrey's ability to speak profoundly to the human condition through the lens of poetry. Ideal for those who find poetry in the pavement cracks and in the whispers between city lights, this collection is a compelling journey through the vivid landscapes crafted by a masterful poet"--

Book Synopsis

PRETTIER GRIT by John Godfrey is a daring exploration of the contrasts and textures of modern life, weaving through the streets of personal and societal landscapes. This collection reflects Godfrey's keen eye for detail and his profound grasp on the rhythm of urban existence, merging the ordinary with the extraordinary. From the reflective solitude of " Drunk on Horizon" to the poignant urgency of " A Million Sandals for Myanmar," Godfrey's verse traverses a broad emotional and thematic spectrum. " Scofflaw SCOTUS" delivers sharp, unyielding commentary on contemporary politics, while " Juicy Fruit" captures the gritty, raw undercurrents of city life. Each poem in the collection is a tapestry of nuanced observations, philosophical musings, and stark realism, marked by Godfrey's signature lyrical prowess and intricate imagery. PRETTIER GRIT invites readers into a world where the visceral and the sublime coexist, challenging them to perceive the beauty in the harshness and the truths hidden in everyday facades-- a testament to Godfrey's ability to speak profoundly to the human condition through the lens of poetry. Ideal for those who find poetry in the pavement cracks and in the whispers between city lights, this collection is a compelling journey through the vivid landscapes crafted by a masterful poet.

About the Author

John Godfrey was born in Massena, N.Y. in 1945. He is the author of 14 collections of poetry, including The City Keeps: Selected and New Poems 1966-2014 (Wave Books, May 2016). He received an A.B. from Princeton University in 1967, and took a B.S. in Nursing from Columbia University in 1994. He has received fellowships from the General Electric Foundation (1984), the Foundation for Contemporary Arts (2009), and the Z Foundation (2013). He retired in 2011 after 17 years as a nurse clinician in HIV/AIDS. He has lived in the East Village of Manhattan since the 1960s.