A Marked Peculiarity

Including traditional forms such as structured quatrain, sonnet, and terza rima, as well as free verse, these evocative, fresh and often outrageously humorous poems have a powerful and effective rhythm reflecting Bachman's background singing many leading roles in operas and musicals; their vividly metaphoric explorations of the great death-rebirth cycles of nature from delicate re-seeding of flowers to mountain crags and massive floes of ice on the Niagara River, reflect his love of both gardening and hiking/mountain climbing; his section on personal memories, including growing up in Iowa, express both tragedy and a gentle, kind humor for people he has known; and the many poems of fantasy and exploration of the bizarre corners of the psyche frequently shatter any safe, comfortable boundaries, leading the reader into strange, fascinating country reflecting Bachman's unique, highly unusual vision. We have here a masterful, accomplished, highly individual poet at the peak of his powers who obviously believes the reader deserves vivid explorations, including fun and adventure--which this book provides in abundance.