What is destiny?
After you learn that governments lie and happiness
is undefinable and death has no patience,
you’ll understand me.

Meanwhile the ignorant but well informed will try to
keep you mute
as a shut book


And the Time is: Poems 1958-2013 by Samuel Hazo is a collection of poems spanning fifty-five years and chosen by the poet. Hazo is the author of over thirty collections of poetry, essays, plays, and fiction. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1950-1957 and completed his time as a captain. He attended the University of Notre Dame , Duquesne University, and earned his doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh. Hazo was a National Book Award Finalist and the first State Poet of Pennsylvania (1993-2003). Currently, he is the director (and founder) of the International Poetry Forum in Pittsburgh and McAnulty Distinguished Professor of English, Emeritus, at Duquesne University.

And the time Is is the summation of over half a century of work, mostly printed in chronological order. A few of observations that seemed to jump out at me, are first, is Hazo service in the Marines. Although far removed from Quantico many of the poems contain military references and themes. From birds appearing to be at parade rest before a flight to, to the human loss, to the use of war as a tool of government are found throughout the collection. Being chronological work there seems to be some change in feeling as time goes by. Early on a veteran speaks, “I wear my flag on my heart, not on my sleeve.” Later, mentioning Pinochet “disappearing” his enemies yet still every Sunday receiving the body of God on a biscuit. The theme shows respect for the men and women who serve as soldier, sailors, and Marines, but a contempt for those who use them as tools.

Early on in the collection there was a prominent religious tone that fades as time progresses. At times it seems to turn against itself like Pinochet and the church. Religion, war, and violence in general seem to join forces: “Cain’s rock and rocket leave us nothing new to find. In North America the oldest skull’s a woman's brained from behind.”

Some of the poetry captures memories. Hazo’s “My Roosevelt Coupe” took me back to the days of my Triumph Trophy 250 motorcycle. “Coax it, clutch it, kick it in the gas was every dawn’s scenario. Then off it bucked, backfiring down the block…. All trips were dares. Journeys were sagas. “ Other lines seem capture whole experiences in simple lines: “Let’s breathe like fishermen who sit alone together on a dock and let the wind do all the talking.”

Others capture bits of lives, the wisdom, and the observations gained by half a century of writing poetry:

“Before real frontiers passports are invalid.”

“The pilgrim in us has no fixed address. He roams. He takes us with him when he goes.”

“A Saudi wife, enrobed and cowled like a nun, passes a Cannaise in her isosceles and thong.”


And the time Is is an excellent collection and a look into how time changes our views. The observations are of his daily life and his views on the world around us: physical, political, and religious. Hazo also mentions one of my favorite writer/philosophers several times through his collection: Albert Camus. This anthology will be published in time for the poets 86th birthday and represents a lifetime of work. And the time Is will provide the reader with an introduction to the poets many other volumes of work. An outstanding collection.

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