Books | Sports

March 30, 2009

Frank Messina, Bard of Flushing

The Mets Poet doesn't find baseball a constraining subject: The diamond contains multitudes.

Vincent Valk

Frank Messina finds inspiration in the tragicomic existence of his fellow die-hard New York Mets fans. We Mets fans, "strugglers, outsiders, dreamers" in The Mets Poet's words, not only have to live with the ignominy of being a New York back-page sideshow, but have recently contended with two epic September collapses, the latest of which ended in a world championship for the hated Phillies. This after "Marvelous" Marv, the Miracle of '69, the triumphs and disappointments of Doc and Darryl, The Worst Team Money Could Buy, and losing a World Series to the Yankees. The up-and-down history of New York's second team sometimes feels, to a fan, like it mirrors real life, a sentiment Messina captures in his poetry, much of it collected in Full Count: The Book of Mets Poetry.







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Comments

- Books
- posted on Mar 30, 09
david amram

Thank you for a thoughtful and enjoyable interview with one of our finest and most original young ports, fran Messina.
since 1004, when i first met and worked with him, accompanying his poetry with my my music across the USA and England i have always found him to be original and follow his own path.
It is wonderful to see him get a chance to rach a huge audience and turn them on to poetry!!
Other young writers will see tyat THEY can also go their own way and follow their hearts and work tirelessly for what they feel they have to share, as Frank as always done!

Bravo per tutti!!

David Amram

- Books
- posted on Mar 30, 09
david amram

To the Editors of Gelf Magazine
TAKE TWO

My computer jumped before i could finish (and spell check) my message.

Here is the note again..........


- posted on Mar 30, 09

Thank you for posting Vincent Gelf's thoughtful and enjoyable interview with one of our finest and most original young poets, Frank Messina.
Since 1994, when I first met and worked with him, accompanying his poetry with my my music across the USA and England, I have always found him to be original and someone who follows his own path.
It is wonderful to see him get a chance to reach a huge audience of those who love baseball, and turn THEM on to poetry!!
Other young writers will see that THEY can also go their own way and follow their hearts and work tirelessly for what they feel they have to share, as Frank has always done!

fifty years ago when Kerouac and i did the first jazz poetry readings ever done in public in NYC, Jack always spoke about the "diamonds in the sidewalk", referring not only to what glistened from the pavements, during our late-night/ early morning walks thru the streets.

He was also referring to the beauty that surrounds us that we take for granted. The simple everyday things like the game of baseball, al of which are art forms in their own right, which are precious and also a good source for artists of all genres to embrace as A POINT OF DEPARTURE!!

That's what Frank has always done in all his work, and his collection in this new book about his love of the game reflect his autobiographical approacn. which is refreshing and original.

He also has a great way of working with ALL musicians

When I heard him work with his large band Spoken Motion, he knew how to put it together.

It is always a treat for all musicians to work with him

Can hardly wait for VOLUME TWO!!

Bravo per tutti!!

David Amram

- Books
- posted on Mar 31, 09
B. Kim Lee

Can't wait to read the book. This Messina character sounds like he knows how to hit a homerun. Is he single?

Article by Vincent Valk

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