3 New York Poets ─ Charles North, Tony Towle, Paul Violi

The poetry of Tony Towle, Charles North and Paul Violi constitutes a vibrant nexus of second-generation New York School poetry: intellectual rigor, wit, startling imagery and lyrical beauty. Here they are recognized for their inspiring work and long commitment to the demanding life-in-poetry. And as we learn, they became, as young men finding their way, emotionally, philosophically and psychologically “hooked” on poetry and one might say it radically changed—if not “saved”—their lives. This is not an easy artistic path. Quite distinct from one another in their work, they were close consociates, and engaged in a discourse for decades on poetry at large and on their own writing. Andrew McCarron has done an admirable job of bringing this more recent grouping—a formidable triumvirate—to the fore with engaging interviews, fascinating biographical details and wonderful selections of the work. They were one another’s constant readers and steadfast companions. One thinks of the importance of a generative lineage—of the friendship and readership between John Ashbery, Kenneth Koch, James Schuyler, Frank O’Hara. This is a welcome edition of poetry’s “survival dancing.”