Beacon Professor’s Critique of Two Poets Published in National Literary Journal

Dr. William Nesbitt applies his critical eye to two volumes of poetry in recently published reviews featured in a national online literary journal.

Nesbitt, an associate professor of English and chair of the humanities department at Beacon College in Leesburg, Fla. — the first higher-education institution accredited to award bachelor’s degrees exclusively to students who learn differently, analyzed Plunk and This Present Moment for Route 7 Review. Dixie State University’s English Department produces the national online journal.

With Plunk, written by Tom C. Hunley, an English professor at Western Kentucky University, Nesbitt singles out the poem “Um,” a piece that explores sputtering attempts at verbal connection. Nesbitt observes, “through the poem we realize that our failed attempts at communication are just another one of those ‘awful noises’.”

This Present Moment is the latest collection by Gary Snyder, an award-winning essayist, poet and member of the Beat Generation. Snyder won a Pulitzer Prize for his 1975 collection Turtle Island. Of his latest volume, Nesbitt writes the 80-something poet “demonstrates a steady, unhurried, concentrated mind.”

Noting Snyder’s observation that “Every action and moment is a potential ‘hinge in time’,” Nesbitt concludes: “Documenting the later moments of Snyder’s existence, this collection is more than a hinge; it is a handhold. Even though we know the best thing to do is let go, sometimes there’s something sweet about hanging on a just a little bit longer.”

You can read Dr. William Nesbitt’s full reviews at http://www.route7review.com/#!i2016/zl4d7.