About this item
Highlights
- Jack McCarthy, a Spoken Word master who lived life like an open mic, inviting everyone in with warmth and encouragement.He listened when others felt unheard, creating a sense of community wherever he went.
- About the Author: John (Xavier) McCarthy was born on May 23, 1939 in South Boston, MA.
- 184 Pages
- Poetry, American
Description
Book Synopsis
Jack McCarthy, a Spoken Word master who lived life like an open mic, inviting everyone in with warmth and encouragement.
He listened when others felt unheard, creating a sense of community wherever he went. Now, in a beautiful tribute to his legacy, "Allow The Light" unveils Jack's unpublished poetry for the very first time.
From grief to sobriety, fatherhood to divorce, these powerful poems chronicle the highs and lows of his life, navigating love, loss, and the struggles of the working class. As you journey through the pages, you'll be touched by the raw emotion and poignant reflections, experiencing the depths of Jack's heart and soul.
Interwoven with remembrances from fellow writers who knew him best, this collection is a treasure trove of shared experiences and intimate insights.
Grab a copy of Allow The Light and be inspired by the brilliance of Jack McCarthy's legacy, a gift meant to be shared with the world.
Review Quotes
"McCarthy looks at life and still finds beauty; his affections are not just reserved for the glaringly lovely, but for what gets left behind in the face of such dazzle. 'The first robin of spring/is like the clicking of a tumbler/in some marvelously complex lock," -- Victor Infante, OC Weekly
"Jack McCarthy is one of the wonders of contemporary poetry. He writes--and often performs--dazzling narratives full of wit and humor, sadness and hard thinking." -- Stephen Dobyns
"Jack McCarthy could--and did, over and over--locate and celebrate the good. In people, in experience, and in community. I always return to his work the way I used to return to his arms, like someone who has stumbled into a 12-step meeting they didn't know they needed. Read on, and you will need it, too." -- Taylor Mali, author of What Learning Leaves and Late Father
About the Author
John (Xavier) McCarthy was born on May 23, 1939 in South Boston, MA. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1967. McCarthy began writing poetry in the 1960s. However, he was not able to make a living writing poetry and so, after a brief stint of teaching at Mt. Herman Academy, began a career as an information technologist, working with banks and insurance companies. In 1993, he began his career as a "slam" poet participating in competitions and teaching workshops. In 1999, McCarthy was named best stand up poet in the "Boston Phoenix" Best Poll and in 2007, he was the winner in the Haiku category at the Individual World Poetry Slam. McCarthy died on January 17, 2013.