Three Crows Hunting
(and other poems about conflict)
by
Book Details
About the Book
In Three Crows Hunting, Szwed has selected poems he wrote
about how he has felt and seen conflict.
Biographical in many respects, this collection of poems cuts across his
life, from the time the author left the U.S. Army after serving and being
wounded in
These poems demonstrate that we can not always say nice
things in comfortably metered terms, nor need we always say hard things
awkwardly or harshly. Through poignancy,
wit, sarcasm, humor, plain speech, or mocking tirade, these poems challenge author
and reader, alike, to look as squarely as possible at the real issues of
personal responsibility and accountability; to take stock of the greater
picture as well as common human sufferings.
Szwed would have us remember that every power and entity is accountable.
The author refuses to be locked into a single style or form
of poetic expression. Paraphrasing
Joseph Grucci, the author's former poetry workshop instructor at The
Pennsylvania State University, Szwed notes that all elements, including title,
rhythms, color, and sentiment of a poem, should be organic and unique to the
construction of the whole. At times
there is an elemental shift within a poem that stops the reader to meditate on
the mood change, or some clash of thoughts or feelings. This is part of how the author poetically
recognizes natural struggles of our hearts and minds, in the best or worst of
times or conflicts. Szwed's poems
encourage readers to take heart that, in spite of our selves or circumstance,
we can get through the trials of life; every soul matters.
The
author's book "Pining from the Heat" is being concurrently published
by 1stBooks Library.
About the Author
Craig M. Szwed has written poetry since highschool in the
1960's. He has reworked and retained
only that poetry which satisfies what he wants to say, in the manner he wants
things said. His poems have been read
and edited by friends and family, near and far, some of whom are teachers and
writers who encouraged him to continue writing and to publish. Craig's poetry has been published in Once
Upon a World (2001) and in Meridian Anthology of Contemporary Poetry (2003). In 2001, Craig self-published the compact disk
"american haiku." To him,
writing is the love of expression, the hope of being heard and understood;
sharing common human things that may often feel too elusive for conversation.