It’s the dawning of a new year and with it, a renewed sense of hope and inspiration, which may also be found inside the pages of Burton poet David Adams’ newest compilation of poetry.
It’s the dawning of a new year and with it, a renewed sense of hope and inspiration, which may also be found inside the pages of Burton poet David Adams’ newest compilation of poetry.
“Hope As a Construction,” published by Bottom Dog Press, aims to lift readers out of the ordinary — compelling them to think and appreciate the world around them.
“I always tell folks that ‘hopefulness’ is about seven degrees south of hope itself — difficult enough in this strife-filled world,” Adams said. “But, we are in the season of looking forward, as well as behind.”
Adams undertook serious reflection and revision in making the selections for his 11th collection of poems — taking readers on a journey from his Cleveland roots to the far side of the world, as well as to some familiar places for those who grew up in Ohio and/or for those who have experienced any sense of wanderlust.
Released in May 2023, the book is earning the author rave reviews.
“David Adams brings us his version of the news: of places, people and history observed and closely interrogated,” said Suzanne Ferguson, editor of Jarrell, Bishop, Lowell & Company: Middle Generation Poets in Context. “To look unflinchingly at our worlds — with joy as well as judgment — but still have a numinous hope that ‘all may yet be well’ is the gift of news David Adams has bequeathed us here.”
Author Linda-Wagner-Martin said reading Adams’ work makes the world of words once again vibrant and real.
“There is a strong, almost transcendent, sense of place in the poetry of David Adams,” said R.C. Wilson, of Edith Chase Symposium Association. “He tells you right away where you are as you read each poem in this book.”
Reading poetry in general can be a stress reducer, according to Medicinal Media.com, which said, “Much like listening to music or painting, reading poetry has calming effects on the nervous system, boosts mood and improves working memory.”
Poetry can also teach readers to think in a new way, said writer, editor and publisher Joanna Pieters in an article titled, “11 Reasons a Poetry Habit will Change your Thinking.”
“It calms your brain chemistry, develops your cognitive flexibility and deepens your ability to focus,” she said.
Adams, born in Lakewood and raised in South Euclid, has worked as a laborer, college professor and technical writer, acquired a strong focus early on to the character of life in eastern Geauga County.
“I was a town mouse who grew into a country mouse, probably because of my father, who was raised in Orange when it was still a rural township,” Adams said. “It was through his hauling me to the Burton pancake breakfasts and the (Great) Geauga County Fair — where I kissed my first girl behind a cotton candy booth — that I was drawn to the area.”
When he found a place he could afford in 2017, he jumped at the chance to move to the county and also continue to travel.
“I was definitely a migratory professor,” Adams said.
Some of the places he taught include Virginia State University, Unity Environmental University, University of Maine at Farmington and UMaine in Orono, Cornell, Michigan State University, Johnson & Wales University and John Carroll University.
“I have also specialized in helping colleges and universities with accreditation problems, most recently with U.S.-affiliated institutions in Micronesia,” Adams said, adding he continues to work as a semi-retired consultant from his home.
Adams can also add guest speaker to his long resume.
The Bowling Green State University alumnus spoke in late October on chapters in the history of post-war poetry and publishing and this summer, performed a poetry reading with conversation at Artisans’ Corner Gallery in Newbury Township.
“David’s poetry has brought a new life to gallery events here at Artisans’ Corner Gallery in Newbury,” ACG owner Monica Glasscock said.
The event was so well received, plans are in the works for another poetry reading and conversation with the author sometime in February.
Over the years, many of Adams’ poems have appeared in a variety of journals and anthologies.
His prose memoir, “Casual Labor,” was published by Blue Shale Books in 2021. He is also the author of “COPE: a Technical Writing Guide for Engineers, Fourth Edition,” Published by University of New Haven in 2022.
In 2021, Adams collaborated with composer Dawn Sonntag to complete “Clara: A Life and Death in Shadow,” an opera in three acts about Clara Haber.
“I (still) keep an old-fashioned composition notebook with ideas for poems or writing projects,” Adams said. “I still draft my poems long-hand until they are ready to be typed.”
He has three rather large projects currently in his queue — A dramatic text to accompany music from William Schuman’s “9th Symphony” about the 1944 reprisal massacre of Italian partisans and Jews at the Ardeatine Caves outside of Rome; a collection of poems and photographs about the locks of the old Ohio and Erie Canal; and a suite of poems reflecting the history of the Balkans.
“And whatever individual poems emerge,” Adams said. “All of this in the God-willing category.”
Adams shared his hope for the new year.
“To live each day with gratitude, something I learned as a volunteer for Hospice of the Western Reserve.”
“Hope as a Construction” is on sale at ACG, Mac’s Backs-Books on Coventry (online as well as in store), Bottom Dog Press and Amazon.
