Benjamin Mann, whose poetry will appear in the pages of StAR later this year, gives an introduction about his poetic gift and how his unusual style was developed by his personal and generational experience and struggles. It’s well worth reading, as are any of his fine articles at Catholic Exchange. You can read it here.

CONGRATULATIONS

TO A NEW LOST GENERATION,

WELCOME TO A NEW WAR

YOU DON’T RECALL VOLUNTEERING FOR –

BUT NOW IT’S TIME TO GO, GET UP

AND GET YOURSELF TOGETHER

OUT OF FRAGMENTS YOU’VE ASSEMBLED

UNDERNEATH THE SHEET METAL

 

CONSOLATIONS

TO A NEW BEAT-DOWN GENERATION,

REACHING UP TO SCRAWL SOMETHING

ACROSS A PAPER SKY –

AND IT’S POETIC, EVEN IF

THE GRAVITY’S AGAINST IT

GETTING NOTICED IN THIS LIFE

AMID THE DIMMING OF THE LIGHTS

Read more at Catholic Exchange.