“Mamaist” New and Selected Poems
The author states in his Preface that he had a moment of inspiration thanks to his wife and began writing mamaist poems. According to him, the word mamaist means: “(If there was a Dadaist, why not a mamaist?)
Amazon USA“Mamaist”
New and Selected Poems
by Alan Botsford
- Publisher : Cyberwit.net (February 25, 2024)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 134 pages
- ISBN-10 : 8119654064
- ISBN-13 : 978-8119654062
- Item Weight : 8.2 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.5 x 0.34 x 8.5 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #2,399,513 in Books
Review by LB Sedlacek
This new collection is drawn from three previous publications of Botsford’s mamaist collections written over three decades. It also includes uncollected poems by the author.
The author states in his Preface that he had a moment of inspiration thanks to his wife and began writing mamaist poems. According to him, the word mamaist means: “(If there was a Dadaist, why not a mamaist?) He had long been drawn to the transcendentalists and the surreal-ists, until he himself became a mamaist. It’s a made-up word with lowly origins springing from the syllable “ma” —the word for “food” in many languages and cultures, and de-riving its energy perhaps at the juncture where “Mmmmmm” and “Ahhhhhh” meet….” He also says it’s a word that cannot be found in any dictionary and goes into further detail in the Preface about what mamaist means to him.
He opens his book with the poem “Nothing” which delves on just that using exquisite lines such as “Now, if you think this has nothing to do with you, / or is much ado about nothing,”. This poem offers a kaleidoscope of unconditional reflective thoughts on nothing. Botsford is quick to draw readers in because there is an art to being able to explore words in such a way that it becomes a tribute to the art itself. Plus, who hasn’t thought about, talked about “nothing?”
His poems are quite authentic. And, Botsford’s writing shows a depth to it.
From the poem “Into the language cauldron you go”:
This, what? home-made or store-bought? Poor you...
You’ve got soul, pearly gates!
Putting on your Sunday best—
your ‘my journey’ everyday good,
‘highstyle’ ‘face-view’
‘healthy and clean’,
‘hill-breeze’ ‘wonderscape’—no limit!
Botsford’s language use is immersive offering up a vivid landscape of understandable complexity. However, his writing is accessible as well as highly entertaining.
This collection shows versatility as with the blend of new and existing poems selected to be included in this book. There is a comprehensive exploration of themes with a range of styles.
His words are palpable. They seem to be breathing life into works most any reader would enjoy.
My favorite poem in the collection is “Dadirdydebil.” It conjures up thoughts of “Jabberwocky” to me. However, it is highly original and is not quite a nonsense poem. Here are some lines from the poem:
“I’m the rabbit in the screen cage
who, by projecting from reel to real,
animates the loony New Age,
then hops out cagily and says,
THAT’S NOT ALL, FOLKS!;
At its core, “Mamaist” is a book of significance in its fascinatingly unique state. It urges the reader to recognize and appreciate poems that so importantly shape and nurture our lives, our hearts, our souls. This collection offers something for each reader so that they can take it up to ponder to imagine to discuss just what the word “mamaist” means to them.
~LB Sedlacek is the author of several books of poetry including “Unresponsive Sky,” “Chasing Sunsets,” “The Poet Next Door,” “Simultaneous Submissions,” “Ghost Policy” and “I’m No Robot.” Her short stories books include “The Jackalope Committee & Other Stories” and her poem novel is “The Blue Eyed Side.”