Deniability: Poems
Encyclopedia
Deniability: Poems is a book written by American
poet
, George Witte
, published in 2009 by Orchises Press.
and its moral standards.
"[Deniability] looks closely at our troubled times, as well as the troubling language and verbal abuse that surfaces in such uncertain moments: clichés and euphemisms, code words and doublespeak.... With loose but careful measures and a keen regard for the exactly right word, Witte examines every opened can of worms before kicking it down the road. Smart, timely, and sane, this volume is highly recommended." --Library Journal, February 1, 2009
"There are times in history when it is best for a people to move on from past mistakes. There are other times, such as now, when the past cries out to be explored. For those who are searching for meaning to the last eight years, a new book by American poet, George Witte, Deniability, is the place to start. This is not only for writing that is spectacular in its simplicity, its perfect placement of each word, its prose, but for its bravery in peeling back the layers of the war on terror as an eight year journey that is stark and unforgiving in its verse."--The Environmentalist
His poems have also been published in The Atlantic, Boulevard, Gettysburg Review, The Kenyon Review
, Ploughshares, Prairie Schooner, New York Quarterly, Southwest Review
, and Virginia Quarterly Review.
Witte has also worked in book publishing
at St. Martin's Press
for twenty five years, as an editor
, the publisher of Picador USA, and now as editor in chief
. He lives in Ridgewood
, New Jersey
with his wife and two children.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
, George Witte
George Witte
George Witte, an American poet from Madison, New Jersey, is the author of Deniability: Poems and The Apparitioners: Poems.-Career:George Witte is the author of two books of poetry: Deniability: Poems, published by Orchises Press in 2009, and The Apparitioners: Poems, published by Three Rail Press...
, published in 2009 by Orchises Press.
Premise
Deniability: Poems is a collection of poems that presents internal thought processes from 9/11 through the years of war that followed. It leads the reader on an examination of deniability with what was happening to America and the world. Beginning with a poem entitled, "Uh Oh," about 9/11, Witte explores war's impact on America's democracyDemocracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
and its moral standards.
Reviews
"Poetry is as ancient as language. It ranges from the simple pun to the complex metaphor. And at its best it is nothing less music for the mind. Such is the caliber of poetry by George Witte that is now compiled into Deniability. This is Witte's second anthology and is particularly notable for his deft skills in creating memorable verse. 'Just Cause': A line is crossed, unnoticed by command/But photographed in fame's amoral flash./Bodies piled, trophy game atop which rests/One boot; smiles of shy surprise, unabashed.//Another line and wilderness surrounds/Us, humid aisles where everything's displayed/Conscripted to absolve our choices God/Deserts to find a new identity.//We bushwhack through thick scrub, directionless/The way's degraded, markers overgrown/Where filthy water swamps the lowest place/We lost crusaders kneel, and choke it down." --Midwest Poetry Review"[Deniability] looks closely at our troubled times, as well as the troubling language and verbal abuse that surfaces in such uncertain moments: clichés and euphemisms, code words and doublespeak.... With loose but careful measures and a keen regard for the exactly right word, Witte examines every opened can of worms before kicking it down the road. Smart, timely, and sane, this volume is highly recommended." --Library Journal, February 1, 2009
"There are times in history when it is best for a people to move on from past mistakes. There are other times, such as now, when the past cries out to be explored. For those who are searching for meaning to the last eight years, a new book by American poet, George Witte, Deniability, is the place to start. This is not only for writing that is spectacular in its simplicity, its perfect placement of each word, its prose, but for its bravery in peeling back the layers of the war on terror as an eight year journey that is stark and unforgiving in its verse."--The Environmentalist
Author
George Witte is the author of two books of poetry: Deniability: Poems, published by Orchises Press in 2009, and The Apparitioners: Poems, published by Three Rail Press in 2005.His poems have also been published in The Atlantic, Boulevard, Gettysburg Review, The Kenyon Review
The Kenyon Review
The Kenyon Review is a Literary magazine based in Gambier, Ohio, USA, home of Kenyon College. The Review was founded in 1939 by John Crowe Ransom, critic and professor of English at Kenyon College, who served as its editor until 1959...
, Ploughshares, Prairie Schooner, New York Quarterly, Southwest Review
Southwest Review
The Southwest Review is a literary journal published quarterly, based on the Southern Methodist University campus in Dallas, Texas. It is the third oldest literary quarterly in the United States of America . The current editor-in-chief is Willard Spiegelman.The journal was formerly known as the...
, and Virginia Quarterly Review.
Witte has also worked in book publishing
Publishing
Publishing is the process of production and dissemination of literature or information—the activity of making information available to the general public...
at St. Martin's Press
St. Martin's Press
St. Martin's Press is a book publisher headquartered in the Flatiron Building in New York City. Currently, St. Martin's Press is one of the United States' largest publishers, bringing to the public some 700 titles a year under eight imprints, which include St. Martin's Press , St...
for twenty five years, as an editor
Editing
Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, visual, audible, and film media used to convey information through the processes of correction, condensation, organization, and other modifications performed with an intention of producing a correct, consistent, accurate, and complete...
, the publisher of Picador USA, and now as editor in chief
Editor in chief
An editor-in-chief is a publication's primary editor, having final responsibility for the operations and policies. Additionally, the editor-in-chief is held accountable for delegating tasks to staff members as well as keeping up with the time it takes them to complete their task...
. He lives in Ridgewood
Ridgewood, New Jersey
Ridgewood is a village in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the village population was 24,958. Ridgewood is an affluent suburban bedroom community of New York City, located approximately northwest of Midtown Manhattan.The Village of Ridgewood was...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
with his wife and two children.
Links to Reviews
- Midwest Book Review of Deniability
- The Environmentalist review of Deniability
- The Chicago Sun-Times review of Deniability
- The Huffington Post review of Deniability
- Library Journal review of Deniability
See Also
- George WitteGeorge WitteGeorge Witte, an American poet from Madison, New Jersey, is the author of Deniability: Poems and The Apparitioners: Poems.-Career:George Witte is the author of two books of poetry: Deniability: Poems, published by Orchises Press in 2009, and The Apparitioners: Poems, published by Three Rail Press...
- The EnvironmentalistThe EnvironmentalistThe Environmentalist is a public interest, eco-investigative journalism site that reports on the geopolitics and science of climate change, general politics, sustainable living, business impact and the history of affected regions.-Founding:...
- Library JournalLibrary JournalLibrary Journal is a trade publication for librarians. It was founded in 1876 by Melvil Dewey . It reports news about the library world, emphasizing public libraries, and offers feature articles about aspects of professional practice...
- St. Martin's PressSt. Martin's PressSt. Martin's Press is a book publisher headquartered in the Flatiron Building in New York City. Currently, St. Martin's Press is one of the United States' largest publishers, bringing to the public some 700 titles a year under eight imprints, which include St. Martin's Press , St...