Time, Motion & Words

Of Rebecca’s Forsythe’s latest collection, Roman Sky (Turn of River Press, 2016), Joan Tucci challenges “anyone to winnow their (favorite poems) down to a handful. It can't be done.”

Now drawing on as many miles and destinations as bulbs she has planted in her Massachusetts garden (many of which have bloomed), tomorrow night’s featured poet has resumed a career as a childcare provider and roadie, with motorcycle trips through dozens of states with her husband, among other experiences, relations and observations both lingering and wry, shaping a style admired for a clarity and grace uncommon in much of contemporary poetry.

Besides Roman Sky, Rebecca has published Newfoundland Ferry (Turn of River Press, 2010 ) and 2001’s Prairie Morning. Click here for information on her 2011 appearance at Curley’s and audio samples of her musical collaborations with her daughter, Amanda. 
 
The video photo album below of Rush’s “Ghost Rider” (from 2002’s Vapor Trails) visually enlivens the similarly perception-changing, introspective and regenerative pull time and motion can hold for the writer-as-rider, expressed by the rock trio’s lyricist/drummer Neil Peart, whose own two-wheeled explorations are related in Far and Wide: Bring That Horizon to Me! (ECW Press, 2016), Far and Away: A Prize Every Time and other travel memoirs.

Across America With Rebecca Forsythe--PoemAlley's Guest Speaker For October 25, 2011

Animating observations amassed from 49 states' worth of motorcycling with her husband, Rebecca Forsythe also peppers her poetry and musical contributions with musings on biblical and historical themes, not to mention an abundance of figures drawn from her own family.

Of her recent collection, from which she will be reading, Prairie Morning (2010, Turn of River Press), PA member Karen Waigland Davis notes how the writing resonates with the intensity by which "Forsythe observes and lives her life." Adds Barbara Holton, "Rebecca's poetry has a clarity and a grace that's sometimes missing in the poetry written in these post-modern days... Her throwaway lines can take my breath away."

Listen here to samplings of her daughter, Amanda, performing as soprano on New Dawn, an album of song and piano music by contemporary classical composer Carson Cooman, which features poetry by Rebecca.