Well-traveled poet wears many hats

By Ray Walsh | For the Lansing State Journal

Globe-trotting poet Mark Yakich has led an interesting life - studying in Illinois, Austria, Indiana, Louisiana, Tennessee, Florida and Michigan. He's gained multiple degrees in a wide variety of subjects - but that's not all.

He's worked for the European Parliament in Belgium, taught in California, is writing a novel and has held creative jobs as a painter, multimedia artist, radio show host, photographer, editor and workshop leader.

Currently, he is an assistant professor in the English Department at Central Michigan University and has carefully crafted two unusual books.

"Unrelated Individuals Forming a Group Waiting to Cross" was selected by James Galvin as a 2003 competition winner published as part of the National Poetry Series.

The collection offers innovative verse on many subjects, full of thought-provoking images and sometimes startling, intriguing insights.

Numerous poems originally appeared in publications such as "Denver Quarterly," "Octopus Magazine," "Mid-American Review" and "Gumball."

"The Making of Collateral Beauty" is a companion book to his colorful poetry, but itself is an uncommon collection of prose poetry. It's an association volume that loosely explores the background of many of the poems in his first book.

The narratives are obliquely creative, sometimes providing vivid recollections yet not always relevant ones. A bit on the bizarre side, Yakich is a cutting-edge contemporary poet who offers esoteric reflections that will linger long after they are absorbed.

Reality-based or fictional, Yakich's poetry is well worth contemplating: it's best to sit back and slowly savor the books.

Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing's Curious Book Shop, has reviewed books regularly since 1987.