Second Nature

John Witte 's poems have appeared in The New Yorker, Paris Review, American Poetry Review, and numerous anthologies. The recipient of two fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, he lives in Eugene, Oregon, where he teaches at the University of Oregon.

"Much of Second Nature is written in what Witte calls 'whiplash triplets,' minimally punctuated, heavily enjambed three-line stanzas, in which each successive line lengthens. The form demands that we follow syntax closely, keeping us awake to language. It also allows Witte great freedom to switch topic and location. Juxtapositions go unannounced; phrases and images simply run together. Witte counts on us to experience the friction . . . . the light-hand is apiece with Witte's calm intelligence. This generous, humble collection sings about our joy, but neither naively nor 'too loud.' ."