Best Evidence
Poems by Mark S. Osaki
by Mark S. Osaki
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Pub Date Jan 31 2018 | Archive Date Aug 26 2018
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Description
Poet Mark S. Osaki covers a number of poignant topics in Best Evidence. Each poem in the four sections gives you a glimpse of a formative moment in Osaki’s life or expands your viewpoint on conflicts in the world. Some poems, like the powerful “Chinese Camp, California,” speak of a larger cultural experience and the nuances of navigating identity as an Asian American. Others still, like “Gun Song,” show the psychological and cultural impact of war. In each new work, Osaki captures powerful moments of longing and loss.
Advance Praise
Praise for Best Evidence:
“Mark Osaki has shown himself to be one of the best poets of his generation.” - David Rains Wallace, Author, The Klamath Knot: Explorations of Myth and Evolution
“I have found the poetic voices of Asian Americans to be among the strongest and most original in contemporary English literature. Among those writers, none impress me more than does Mark Osaki.” - Joseph Bruchac, The Greenfield Review Press
“Mark Osaki belongs to no school, follows no master, and has stayed on the far margin of the business part of poetry. His spare style is a vehicle for an outsider’s view of our world. His poetic toughness is not for those who regard poetry as comfort. He is paring his experiences closer to a powerful reporting, as only poetry can report.” - Leonard Nathan
Mark S Osaki undertakes to illuminate the difficulty of establishing one's home in a nation not one's own. These often soulful poems speak to us as members of families, as lovers, as travelers, journeys a reader is rewarded for taking. - Carole L. Glickfeld, Author, Swimming Toward the Ocean.
“Mark Osaki brings a rich poetic voice to his collection of poems in his recent book "Best Evidence". He captures past and present moments, expressing hope through pain and personal loss. His work is subtle in nuances, yet possesses a keen clarity of vision and ultimately celebrates life itself.” - Elizabeth Hack, Artist and Editor, San Francisco Peace and Hope
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781984198327 |
| PRICE | $6.99 (USD) |
Featured Reviews
Joseph S, Reviewer
Best Evidence: Poems by Mark S. Osaki is a collection of poetry about being Asian in America. Osaki was born in Sacramento, California. He attended the University of California, Berkeley as an Alumni Scholar and went on to do graduate work in International Relations and Security Studies.
The first section, Walking Back the Cat, contains several poems that reflect back on youth. The poem "Fish Heads" caught my attention mainly from the Saturday Night Live skit decades ago. Although not the poets intent it does seem to reflect the universal opinion of fish heads. This quickly changes to a tour of a Chinese labor camp and then the deeper "Salt". The second section, Dying Arts, reflects on the violence in the world caused by national conflicts. "Turista" reflects on war for war's sake, just a change of sides, much Syria today and the title is a good play on words. "Preserve," tells of the children and their new playground that is adopted without a second thought. This is followed by "Family Reunion" the experience of an Asian-American infantryman serving in the Vietnam War.
The third section "Trade Craft" is a mix of poems and themes. The final section is the title section, Best Evidence. These last two sections do not seem to have the coherence of the previous two. The poetry is well written but the sections do not seem to be hard boundaries confining the writing. A well done but a short collection of poems seen from an Asian perspective of being an American. An interesting and enlightening collection.
