Paul Violi

This book presents a definitive selection of thepoetry that Paul Violi (1944-2011) published in his lifetime, asselected by his friends and colleagues, Charles North and TonyTowle. Violi is often associated with the "second generationof the new York school of poetry. However, his gift for thetransformation of unpromising material - TV listings, the callof a horse race, a book index, a police blotter - into comictours de force is unique. Informed by an unostentatious erudition and an extensive reading of history, Violi is at home inother modes as well. "Harmatan includes concise and compelling observations about his time inthe Peace Corps in Nigeria. In such masterful works as "the Monk of Montaudon, he maintains alow-key ironic tone that could be called post-Romantic sublime. The breadth of Violi's sensibilityis second to none. This important collection should help establish his place in American poetry.