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February 2005 poetry selection for Poetry Talk discussion group

The Other Man Was Me: A Voyage to the New World by Rafael Campo

Publication Details Paperback: 90 pages; Publisher: Arte Publico Press; ISBN: 1558851119; Published: June 30, 1994.

Reviews
Winner of the National Poetry Series 1993 Open Competition, Campo's first book is firmly topical: Latino ethnicity, gay identity, the responsibilities of doctors in the age of AIDS, and the meaning of family are all under question as the writer, a San Francisco doctor, writes with a sturdily imaginative vigor in compact, accessible poems. "The narcissism universally / Attributed to infants once belonged / To me," observes a speaker in "Song for My Lover"; Campo's voice is characteristically forthright, realistic and impassioned. His interests include, conspicuously, narrative--not just the story of one person's experience ("Pretending fatherhood was simply sperm"), but a clan's ("Our Country of Origin") over generations, or a people's. The poet's assertive exploration of personal and political material is always engaging. However, his language can be both trite and awkward, a willed wrestle with experience that neglects the writer's medium. This is not to miss Campo's talent, which is clear and persistent. —Publishers Weekly

Winner of the National Poetry Series open competition, this is an enigma-as all prize-winning works should be. Campo is simultaneously a new-formalist poet, a physician, gay, and Hispanic, and he makes the combination work, without compromising any aspect. Many poems rhyme, and all lines begin with capital letters. A poem early in the collection opens: "A sonnet? Tension. Words withheld." In the remaining pages, Campo addresses a male genealogy-grandfather, father, lover, (imaginary) son-in tight 16-line poem sequences. Particularly in these sequential poems, he skillfully uses repetition to locate, or transfer, objects and emotions. Many poems humorously triumph over depressing subject matter; there's a court jester who sleeps with the king after the queen's death and a vividly depicted hospital in which AIDS is cured (free of charge). For most collections. Rochelle Ratner, formerly Poetry Editor, "Soho Weekly News," New York —School Library Journal

“The stories Campo’s sonnets tell in their episodic vignettes are thoroughly gripping.” —Voice Literary Supplement

“This is a very powerful collection of poems about identity, familia, and love.” —MulitCultural Review

Other sources

Reviews and interviews posted on Campo's Web site

Poetry Porch interview

Ploughshares Web site has poems and other writing by Campo

Academy of American Poets biography, references & exhibits

Web site - Visit Rafael Campo's Web site http://www.rafaelcampo.com/ to find out more about him and his work.

Where to find it? Suggestions -

• Amazon.com has both new & used copies.
• Purchase directly from Arte Publico Press.
• Alibris.com has used copies for sale.
• Look for it online at your local bookstore.
• Your local library may also have copies.

Join in the discussion Please visit Yahoo! Groups to sign up and to participate in Poetry Talk: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FallsApart_PoetryTalk

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