Had the honor of contributing the foreword to Gene Lass' latest book. My copy arrived today on the way to hike so I brought it along. The entire book turned out great and just adds to what is starting out as a fantastic summer. Here is the foreword and a pic of the book taking a rest on its adventure.
Foreword
Twenty years ago, I had the immense pleasure of writing under the guidance of Anne Waldman. Her instruction focused primarily on why we write, which she said, in short, is to exercise our ability to think for ourselves and expand the consciousness of others. Once we had a grasp of the why, the how would come easily. Also at that time, the powers that be were on a feverish course to send soldiers into Iraq and put a muzzle on the mouths of the Dixie Chicks. Anne urged us to keep the world safe for poetry.
As I dug into this very book you are about to enter into, while this country honors its fallen heroes with great bargains on mattresses and box springs, Anne's simple but profound advice from almost two decades ago became amplified in my mind again.
I know Gene almost exclusively through his words. We've never shared physical space nearer than the same city at some points, but an especially strong command of language tells me enough about a person. Language, especially the ability to convey displacement, is one of our species’ greatest possessions. It isn’t always sufficient in the game of tooth and claw, but it certainly does offer us an oasis away from the game altogether, at least for a few moments.
Whether Gene is sharing insight into The Who’s Quadrophenia or the health care system, he demonstrates the whole point of writing, speaking, or painting: we can think for ourselves and expand the consciousness of others. The poems that follow demonstrate a deep understanding of language and other minds. He also trusts the words and the reader enough to unflinchingly share everything he must, without wasting a letter in excess.
Love and hate are strong words, but so is indifference. And from the moment you are greeted with "Auld lang syne" being sung by a woman we’ll never meet yet never forget, through all the places and people that populate the contents of this book, you will be liberated from indifference. Each and every moment is monumental and meaningful.
Love and hate are strong words, as are each of the words as assembled here by Gene. What follows is a forum where his mind and imagination mingle freely with the open minds and imaginations of each of us readers. And therefore, as long as this book exists, there is a convincing reason for optimism.
It is a tremendous pleasure and honor to welcome you to these poems.
Enjoy the journey.
Colton Claye
Memorial Day weekend 2022
Colorado, USA
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