Progressions of the Mind

<p>David Berman's posthumous collection <em>Progressions of the Mind</em> abounds in sagacity empathy and wit. Often in sonnet form this former lawyer's meditations on humanity may be poignant or humorous but they are always entertaining. He deftly interrogates commonplace notions of morality religious beliefs and human frailties and resilience. Readers of this collection will understand why Berman was such a respected and beloved figure among the Powow River Poets.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>PRAISE FOR <em>PROGRESSIONS OF THE MIND</em></strong></p><p><br></p><p>David Berman's drive character and intelligence took him from a Florida orphanage to Harvard Law School as well as the poetry workshops of Robert Lowell and Archibald MacLeish. His poems-witty introspective and impeccably crafted-always reflect a deep love of language and empathy for other people.</p><p> -A.M. Juster author of <em>Wonder and Wrath</em></p><p><br></p><p><em>In Progressions of the Mind</em> David Berman's first full-length collection published posthumously the reader new to his work will discover technical proficiency of the highest order in the writing of formal verse and also encounter a restless relentlessly probing rigorously disciplined intellect devoted to learning not for learning's sake so much as for how learning can clarify justify and endeavor to make sense of one unique and complex life. Like Wallace Stevens David Berman lived a secret life of poetry and wrote prolifically. These poems selected and arranged by David himself in 2009 provide only a representative sampling of his vast body of work yet can serve to introduce this extraordinary and gifted writer to those who did not have the good fortune to know him as a colleague a fellow poet and a cherished friend.</p><p> -Bruce Bennett author of <em>Just Another Day in Just Our Town</em></p><p><br></p><p>In language clear as the finest diamonds with a surgeon's precision and a philosopher's devotion to honest complex thought the late David Berman put together a collection of flawlessly wrought poems both dazzling and sobering. They include accounts of criminal behavior often in the voice of the perpetrator (Berman was a prominent lawyer); subtle revealing exchanges with the living and the dead; portraits tender and not so tender; vulnerable candid self-examination; unexpected views of religion and wit capable of shocking as it pierces the target. This record of a thoroughly examined life by a highly intelligent man known for his reserve is a book to learn from and to treasure.</p><p> -Rhina P. Espaillat author of <em>And After All</em></p><p><br></p><p><strong>ABOUT THE AUTHOR:</strong></p><p><br></p><p>David Berman (1934-2017) was born on September 11 1934 in New York City and raised in Hollywood Florida. He was licensed as an attorney in 1963. From 1967 until his death he had a private practice in the Boston area with an emphasis on business litigation. While at Harvard he was frequently published in the <em>Harvard Advocate</em>. Over the years Berman published poems in literary journals such as the <em>Formalist Piedmont Literary Review Sparrow Orbis Iambs and Trochees</em> and <em>Pivot</em>. He also published three chapbooks: <em>Future Imperfect</em> (State Street Press 1982) <em>Slippage</em> (Robert L. Barth 1996) and <em>David Berman: Greatest Hits 1965-2002</em> (Pudding House 2002). A student of Robert Lowell and Archibald MacLeish Berman was a longtime member of the Powow River Poets of Newburyport Massachusetts. In addition he was a member of the Harvard Club a trustee of the Cantata Singers and Vice ��chanson and Vice Conseiller Gastronomique Honoraire of the Boston chapter of La Confr��rie de la Cha��ne des R��tisseurs. He passed away on June 22 2017 after battling cancer for several months.</p>