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Local poet's works pleasing to eye, ear
Topics: book, book signing, poetry book
Posted by tredman Fri Mar 9, 2007 13:40:23 PST
Viewed 221 times
0 responses 0 comments I/We by Larry Etue

The experience of our lives
set within the tripartite web of
time, culture and context are etched
into a personal and collective memory
as distinctive events shaping shaped
by the patterns of that trinity with every
occurrence a story onto  its own as well as
forming the ultimate chemistry of
you and me, I and we, us.

Larry Etue’s book, “Memory’s Frosted Pane,” is one of those wonderful finds in a local bookstore. 

“I/We” tells in a few lines the fabric of a relationship; how two have become one –– a them. There is no need for footnotes or obscure interpretations — just a simple smile at a truth elegantly expressed. His poems are sensitive, not sentimental. 

“I write about universal themes, set in experience — what I call my climate themes.”

Larry says, “I suspect I have been a poet all of my life, but I didn’t put down the words until the early 90s. I have continued to do so ever since.” He told me, “Poetry should be pleasing to the eye when read silently, and to the ear when read aloud.”

One of my favorite poems is called “Lessons.” Etue told me this poem shows that nature is instructive. “We humans get embarrassed, but nature does not. Nature meets the basics — like kids —no rationalizations.”

An earlier column described a group of poets who meet at Russo’s on Wednesday nights and call themselves Any Given Wednesday. Larry has been a regular member of the group and one of the poets in their chapbook published last year.

He describes the group as “welcoming, supportive and encouraging. Without them, I wouldn’t have done the book.”

Jennifer Williams, leader of Any Given Wednesday, describes Larry and his poetry this way: “Larry Etue is a thoroughly charming man who puts you at ease with his ready smile and gentle wit. Then, just as you are relaxed, he smashes you cerebrally with poems oozing with metaphor and meaning. A poem about an older couple watching the demolition of a building stands as an allegory about wasting our past in our present. An alliterative ocean piece reminds you of the spraying sea and barking seals. Sometimes long, sometimes short, each piece always delivers you to a different place and time.”

Like me, Larry is a coffee drinker and a self-published author. Over strong coffee, we discussed the game of self-publishing. 

He said, “There is a lot of satisfaction in the process and in finally seeing my book in print.”

I agree with Jennifer Williams: “You might catch him at Starbucks. If you do, buy him a coffee!”

On March 24, Larry Etue will be signing “Memory’s Frosted Plane” at Russo’s in The Marketplace from 1 to 3 p.m. You can also order his book on: PublishAmerica.com and Amazon.com

“Tears”  by Larry Etue

We weep as a species
surrounded by
oceans of sadness
but without oceans
there would be
no life.

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