Broken and Reset: Selected Poems, 1966 to 2006

V. B. Price

Broken and Reset: Selected Poems 1966-2006 mirrors poet V. B. Price's self-education. Written while he was earning a living as a reporter, columnist, editor, and teacher, the poems explore the great learning experiences of his life, his attraction to New Mexico and Chaco Canyon, and his struggle to make sense of the modern world.

NO PERFORMANCE

Afraid to start,
afraid to fail,
I procrastinate
at learning
how to die,
even though I know
the fulfillment of my life
is told
in how relaxed I am
with death
at the center of my life.

To die as I was born,
with no intention,
moving out beyond, at any time
--what's the difference
between babies and the wise?
Only that the one
could choose
to be so freely given.

"Referencing and riffing on themes as diverse as Greek myth, September 11 and the emotional resonance of place, Price's poetry is accomplished and thoughtful."--Local IQ, Albuquerque

"This is a wonderful selection that will appeal to virtually any reader."--The Oklahoma Observer

V. B. Price is the recipient of the Arts Alliance Bravo Award for Excellence in Literary Arts, the Erna Fergusson Award for Outstanding Achievement from the Alumni Association of the University of New Mexico, and the ACLU-NM First Amendment Award.

Mary Burritt Christiansen Poetry series

6 x 9 408 pages