There is a documentary aspect to these poems, not only in how they seek to explain events, but also in how the characters appear to testify about their roles — this is testimony not only in the sense of the courtroom, but also in a more validating, spiritual sense. The effect is reminiscent of the Spoon River poems of Edgar Lee Masters.
Cooperman is an unusual and distinctive poet. He writes against many of the current trends in modern poetry, without taking obvious exception to them. In a time when many poets make their own personae the central issue of their work, Cooperman is almost entirely self-effacing. He has never claimed a large amount of attention in the world of contemporary poets, though he is widely published in poetry magazines and journals and his books have been published by respected small presses. He deserves more attention. His dedication to poetry, narrative, and stories of the human heart and experience has been heroic.
Cooperman’s latest book is The Long Black Veil, a cycle of poems built on the well-known country and folk ballad by Danny Dill and Marijohn Wilkins. In addition to his longer works, Cooperman has published a number of chapbooks, including A Tale of the Grateful Dead, Not Too Old to Rock an Roll, Greatest Hits, and Shooting the Elephant. He was born in New York City, attended Brooklyn College and Long Island University and then earned his PhD from the University of Denver, where he studied with John Edward Williams, author of Augustus and Stoner and other novels. He taught for a time at the University of Georgia, at Bowling Green University, and again in Denver, but for the most part he has been a truly full-time poet. He lives and writes in Denver, Colorado, where his wife is a professor of business at the University of Denver.
Article comments
1 - Natalie Bennett
This article has been selected for syndication to Advance.net, which is affiliated with newspapers around the United States. Nice work!