Wait

Via Netgalley.

Undistracted and easy to read first collection of poems by Ned Baeck. Some verses too forced, others of an unusual simplicity in english, as this one entitled "Getting by":

You stop saying so much.
Things speak for you

they say you have to close your eyes
and not know how deep.

But because the world still calls
strength weakness
and weakness strength,

you should let your imagination
raze near and distant enemies. (personally I would play with "fear" here)
And if you fail in this,

you should provide some form
of enrichment,
and if you fail in this...

It is hard to learn how to fail, to fail more and better, this book is a good first attempt ...

Now I do like poetry, especially as expressed from around the world.
Wait is the first collection of poems from Ned Baeck who has lived for the past 15 years in Vancouver.
He has a fine grasp of language and has some excellent couplets or phrase. However, I found the form did not persist in any poem sufficient for me to like any one above any other. Indeed, I could not highlight any poem as worthy to be read as wherever, I was taken by a few lines but as a whole piece the poem fails to capture my imagination or soul.
So no poem has a structure or consistent message for me to fairly quote or identify with. I remain confused as the direction and thoughts it lead me on at the start left me stranded and lost half way through and confused at its end. I therefore failed to understand each poems focus and meaning and the title often did give me a way in, or to understanding.
I read the selection of poems to the book’s close and I did ‘wait’ for just one to capture my attention and pleasure.
The book is well presented and the range of subjects covered interesting. I would expect that on a second reading one or two poems would stand out and come alive from the page.
I haven’t the enthusiasm to try again but others will hopefully find more impetus to read this collection and the joy the written envisaged bringing with these lines.
I respect all poets who open their hearts to capture feelings and a sense of place in their creative words. However, they did not resonate with me, a language I did not understand or comprehend.

Wait by Ned Baeck is the poet’s first collection of poetry. Baeck lives in Vancouver. His poems have recently appeared in untethered, The Continuist and Sewer Lid. This volume will be available on March 1, 2018.

Every so often a collection of poetry comes by and hits on all cylinders. Wait is a bit of a surprise as it covers several different and personal aspects smoothly and naturally. Many poets in writing on personal topics try too hard and force words. Baeck’s words have an easy personal feeling to them. He also uses words in unexpected and unique ways:

Outside the donut shop
the rain is falling
Illuminated in an aureola
Around the street light.
~ East Vancouver Midnight

Here is the mix of the ordinary and the holy taken from the poets near homeless wanderings across Canada. Near homeless because the poet took up the life of a what would be called a hobo, traveling across western Canada.His life does change as well as his view of the world. 

Life groans
in roses, parked cars
empty streets
drunks
and sadists.
Greaves shed tears of dust, starry tears
gazes through them amazed.

...

Will you walk with me
through the tender rains
of this city, as it lies now
although torment is slow
I don’t want to go
~ Turnstile

The imagery in “Turnstile”, at times, dark city life reminds me of a bit of a retelling of The Doors “L.A. Woman” in concept and a combing of “Touch Me.” Although many may scoff at the poetry of Morrison, Baeck captures the experience in words alone without the help of music.

Wait is a surprisingly mature collection of poems for an initial offering. Baeck captures honesty and true sight in a world of deceit and hype. A great collection or easy to read and comprehend poetry that can be enjoyed many times over.

Oh God, this book has a hella wonderful writing. Such a good book to read in one sitting. :)

”…the worst things I’ve done, that have disfigured me, have been done sober.”
- Calgary Stampede

This is a well put together collection of 37 poems.

Love, loss, homelessness, longing.

A sense of rootlessness, and shifting views. Emotive & raw.

The writer seemed to be searching for something, which was just out of grasp. I felt a sense of melancholy reading these poems, despondency even, but also that there was still hope.

”It’s a misery this life I’ve created, yet somehow I’m free.”
- Threshold

”…we accept each other as diamonds in the gutter....”
- Landing

Set primarily around Vancouver’s urban landscape, the powerful descriptive words of the people and objects found in the city leave an impression of actually being there, and seeing what the writer sees. There are also a lot of naturalistic themes running throughout the book. Water, rivers, rain, sky, stars, more rain, sunlight, moonlight. Day. Night.

”Will you walk with me, through the tender rains of this city...”
- Turnstile

This style of writing brought to mind the tempo and nuance of the ‘Beat’ poets.

Some of the standout poems for me were ”East Vancouver Midnight”, “Legal Letterhead”, “Cool White Tulips”, “Deep Sea Radio”, “Getting By”, “Threshold” and “Entry To Joshua Tree”. Their words are buzzing in my head.

”He gets up, sees that he is dressed from the night before, walks through the open door and down the stair, where he finds a slip of paper on legal letterhead.

He picks it up and reads that he has been evicted.”
- Legal Letterhead

”…I see that enemies are often more trustworthy than friends. They have a truer sense of your value, at heart a deeper respect for your potential, which it their job to gauge and test.”
- Threshold

”As a general rule I consider bad things more likely than good. But only relatively. It’s a technical pessimism. Strategically, I’m optimistic…”
- Contortionists

I believe most readers have an intrinsic dislike or mistrust of poetry, as it’s not an easy format to grasp, and is so open to the interpretation of the reader. But I say, give it a try and you may well be pleasantly surprised that something within the words speaks to you.

I find it difficult to review this genre, as poetry is so utterly and completely personal. The person writing it is baring their Soul, and being brave enough, and vulnerable enough to share themselves with us. Now that’s an amazing thing.

This collection of poems moved me.

Many thanks to NetGalley & the publisher Guernica Editions for the opportunity to read this advance copy, in exchange for an honest review.

My review can also be found on Good Reads.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2226301268

“Wait” is the first full length debut poetry book written by Ned Baeck. A prior publication includes a chapbook release through Lyrical/Myrical. Baeck studied at Concordia University and the University of British Colombia, and lives in Vancouver B.C.

The introductory poem, “Alice Lake” suggested an idyllic relaxation at a shimmering waterfront, yet this is not the case. “Getting By” introduced a world of failure and broken dreams and continued with “Not The House”-- the unnamed narrator while partying and drinking was advised by a Rastafarian: “Don’t lose your mind on the mountain, but if you do you can always find it again.”
Many of the poems feature a restless and wandering narrator—just passing through whatever Canadian city or town. In “Calgary Stampede” the narrator hitched a ride east of Golden to visit a relative in Calgary, it wasn't clear if he was homeless; as he recalled of “downing” a 60 oz. bottle of Scotch with lamp fuel, he was then uncertain how he arrived back in Vancouver.
Another telling (and among the best) poem in the collection is the story poem “Report From Ether”. The author was living in a bachelor’s apartment” (which would be a studio apartment in the U.S.) there was no logic or reason why he abandoned his job, apartment, and belongings to unexpectedly move on.
Further darker themes include: “Intervention”- the narrator jumped from a bridge into the Niagara River. “In Memoriam “ is sadly written for a female friend who died of a drug overdose. “Brother’s Sketch” tells of a disadvantaged man who ritually combs an area for cigarette butts, yet the man was hesitant to accept a fresh cigarette from the narrator.

The story poems and themes of “Wait” are often serious and heavy: the harshness of homelessness, alcoholism, and a seemingly undisclosed mental condition—another reoccurring theme also included the differences and focus on strength and weakness. The narrator seemed to be a rugged individual; and seldom dwelt on the obvious hardship of his life. In: “Threshold” he observed that a person’s enemies have a “truer” sense of one’s value, and remarked: “It’s a misery, this life/I’ve created, yet/somehow I’m free.” Whether its truth or freedom, the author choses to articulate on and celebrate the beauty of the natural world rather than the darkness of his own life. A life that simply evolved, and continued along with another day. **With thanks and appreciation to Guernica Press via NetGalley for the DDC for the purpose of review.