A Force of Desire: A Life of William Bronk.A Force of Desire: A Life of William Bronk Lyman Gilmore Lyman Wiswell Gilmore, Jr. (June 11, 1874 - February 18, 1951) was an aviation pioneer. In Grass Valley, California, USA, he built a steam-powered airplane and claimed that he flew it on May 15, 1902. Talisman talisman: see amulet. talisman amulet with which Saladin cures Richard the Lion-Hearted. [Br. Lit.: The Talisman] See : Charms House PO Box 3157, Jersey City, NJ 07303-3157 Small Press Distribution 1341 Seventh Street, Berkeley, CA94710-1403 1584980478 $28.95 348 pages 1-510-524-1668 www.amazon.com "The Force of Desire: A Life of William Bronk" is an intentional, calmly paced retracing of the stunning development of the creative mind of a great philosophical poet, William Bronk (1918-1999). Professor Gilmore quotes from many of the poet's letters and poems, and also includes historic photos of Bronk, as well as his family and friends. The inescapable greatness and painful clarity of Bronk's work and thoughts are uncovered and displayed for the reader's appreciation. Bronk was openly homosexual in his lifestyle and beloved of many, though his experiences of love are described as sorrowful sor·row·ful adj. Affected with, marked by, causing, or expressing sorrow. See Synonyms at sad. sor  row·ful·ly adv. . The
following is an enlightening description of Bronk's poetics po·et·ics n. (used with a sing. or pl. verb) 1. Literary criticism that deals with the nature, forms, and laws of poetry. 2. A treatise on or study of poetry or aesthetics. 3. by Professor Gilmore: "At the very heart of Bronk's poetics is the requirement of 'a consonant consonant Any speech sound characterized by an articulation in which a closure or narrowing of the vocal tract completely or partially blocks the flow of air; also, any letter or symbol representing such a sound. harmony' with the listener, that given this mutual harmony, his poems are thus intimate gestures like kisses and caresses. If the listener does not reciprocate re·cip·ro·cate v. re·cip·ro·cat·ed, re·cip·ro·cat·ing, re·cip·ro·cates v.tr. 1. To give or take mutually; interchange. 2. To show, feel, or give in response or return. v. in sharing in the harmony, the poems are dead gestures, as passionate as kissing a frying pan, telephone bill, or the third stair from the bottom (page 240)." This and many other studied deductions are deftly presented within the context of Bronk's writings throughout the book. The detail serves to heighten the impact of the fragments and complete poetic works frequently quoted. A poem that demonstrates Bronk'sironic attitude towards religious belief is quoted on page 294: The Word The Lord speaks to some and I don't ask for certification nor do I envy them. I question their hearing and go on, unspoken-to, doing whatever the ignorant find to do. Though Bronk's poetry may be considered to be an acquired taste, being obscure, brilliant, compact, even brutal in its impact, here is a portrait that enhances the fire, tenderness, and delicate intimacy of his work. "The Force of Desire: A Life of William Bronk" is a major unveiling of the life and work of an astounding a·stound tr.v. a·stound·ed, a·stound·ing, a·stounds To astonish and bewilder. See Synonyms at surprise. [From Middle English astoned, past participle of astonen, poet. |
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