As the title suggests, these poems seek to delineate the poet's relationship to his wife and other women. Sometimes, the person to whom the poem is dedicated is left unsaid, so it is up to the reader to decide. There are poems, such as the "Elasticity of Time," which while exploring the moment of conception, tend to view the woman more in a traditional idealistic role as a muse. Perhaps due to his own genetics, the poet's fa...
As the title suggests, these poems seek to delineate the poet's relationship to his wife and other women. Sometimes, the person to whom the poem is dedicated is left unsaid, so it is up to the reader to decide. There are poems, such as the "Elasticity of Time," which while exploring the moment of conception, tend to view the woman more in a traditional idealistic role as a muse. Perhaps due to his own genetics, the poet's fascination with Oriental women is evident. And throughout the book there are other poems such as "Mildred," where the poet shares his grief with a neighbor's daughter, and "The Vulnerable," which show the dark flickering undertow of another current. There are also poems such as "Season of the Blackbirds," where the poet humorously lends his ear to the time-honored wisdom of a housekeeper, "In the spring, men go crazy." In any case, and in keeping with the tone of an earlier lyric poem, "The Architecture of Spring," the poet seems deeply inclined to celebrate and honor a successful relation between the sexes, both within the family and out, as one of friendship.
Thomas Krampf has published five books of poems, including Poems to My Wife and Other Women (Salmon Poetry, 2007); Taking Time Out: Poems in Remembrance of Madness (Salmon Poetry, 2004); Shadow Poems (Ischua Books,1997); Satori West (Ischua Books, 1987); and, Subway Prayer and Other Poems of the Inner City (Morning Star Press, 1976). He has read his work in the colleges and universities, and on National Public Radio affiliates in New York and Buffalo. In 2001 he was awarded a teaching residency at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar, Ireland, and in 2005 the noted French author, Raymond Bozier, translated his long “Subway Prayer” poem, with excerpts published in the French literary journal, Place Aux Sens. In 2006 he participated in the “Printemps des Poetes” (Springtime of the Poets) literary festival in La Rochelle, France, with leading poets from France and Iran. He was also one of the first U.S. poets invited to read at the Eden Mills Literary Festival, Ontario, Canada. In 2011 he collaborated in a recital with the Korean composer Sun Mi Ro at Houghton College, NY. He now lives in rural southwestern New York, with his wife, Françoise. They have three daughters and grandchildren.
Downpour for Francoise
Sometimes the rain falls
in a state of grace
on the daffodils
for the wrong reason
And sometimes the rain
falls for the right -
But the tether of the sky
loosened long after midnight
the daffodils don't care
