In this new book of poems, his 15th, Stephen Bett writes with a striking but characteristically subtle power and beauty about the edgy romance of new beginning. The poet’s absorbing interest in a “minimalist” poetics has here met up with his longstanding admiration of the open, ranging “journal” poem as practised, at times, by such figures as Robert Creeley, Philip Whalen, Robert Grenier, Paul Blackburn, and bp nichol, and more recently by Michael Rothenberg in his wonderful book on Whalen. The minimalists, chiefly, continue to inspire: Rae Armantrout, and younger, envelope pushing poets such as Nick Demske and Craig Dworkin.

Stephen Bett's writing and college teaching life has been informed by the "counter tradition " of Black Mountain, the San Francisco Renaissance, and the New York School (1st and 2nd generations), and how that played out in Canada with the TISH poets, and beyond. His more recent books are "minimalist " in form, often stretching into "serial poems (book-length "linked poems"). This allows for the surprise of echoing back and forth — everything from idea to image to cadence. Bett's work, like its creator, is recognized as funny, satirical and unique. He lives in Vancouver. Previous books include: Re-positioning , Track This: A Book of Relationship, Extreme Positions, Sass 'n Pass, Three Women, Nota Bene Poems: A Journey, and High-Maintenance.

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