Russ Loar.com

Comments

"Your poem 'Vaya con Dios' is very good and brought back memories of several winos and homeless men I've encountered over the years very often with that combination of fascination and dangerous unpredictability."

~ William Kennedy, novelist, screenwriter and winner of the Pulitzer Prize for "Ironweed"

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"Thanks also for your poem which is crystalline.” (Leaving For Work)

~ Robert Hass, U.S. Poet Laureate from 1995 to 1997 and winner of the Pulitzer Prize for "Time and Materials"

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“We are much enjoying the poems – my wife is taken by the 'juicy-cat song' while I am grabbed by all the surprises in 'Schopenhauer', esp. by “My sweet, bare-faced darling”. (Coyotes and For Schopenhauer)

~ W. D. Snodgrass, poet and winner of the Pulitzer Prize for "Heart’s Needle"

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“Thank you for your poem, itself, a sensitive reflection on the cosmic perspective.” (Sight For Sore Eyes)

~ Neil deGrasse Tyson, astrophysicist and author - host of many PBS science programs including "Nova Science Now," and director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History in New York

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“A Small Dog In France is hilarious, dark and a perfect description of the too-often unfair and irrational nature of life. Really, really wonderful work, Russ! I'm a big fan!" (A Small Dog In France)

~ John Sherffius, political cartoonist, illustrator and artist whose work has won awards from the National Press Foundation, the Robert F. Kennedy Foundation, the Society of Professional Journalists and the Herblock Foundation.

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“For the last hour or so I have been treated to the words of a voice that is new to me. Somehow I hear the same tones as the ones in my head and in my hands. It seems likely that we could sit together over coffee watching a breeze move the plants around in either your backyard or mine and not need to say much. What a gift.”

~ John Frame, artist and sculptor who has exhibited widely in the U.S., Europe and Asia – winner of many awards and grants from organizations including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the J. Paul Getty Museum and the National Endowment For The Arts

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“I want to congratulate you on a really fine piece of writing — for the compelling, sure-handed, eloquent way that you made your points, drove them home, and presented your case. With this review, you have earned the admiration of a fellow writer who revels in good writing wherever it is found.” (Book review for Another Song I Know and Winter Poems)

~ William Michaelian, poet and author whose stories, poems, and drawings have appeared in literary periodicals in the United States and Armenia - his work has been performed on Armenian National Radio

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I found this poem whole, perfect for this moment. I've told several times to the author, Russ Loar, that he's the only alive poet that I've found worth reading. Won't keep to myself something that I think is miraculous.
(A Home In My Heart)

~ Cristian René, an Argentinean artist who uses interactive genetic algorithms and other sophisticated computer devices for his art.

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“You are a wordsmith of the 1st order and taught me much about the care of the written word.”

~ William Lobdell, award-winning Los Angeles Times newspaper reporter and editor - author of "Losing My Religion," published by HarperCollins.

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"Oh hell yes, slice me off some of that Russ Allison Loar!!! I feel like I just injected a dose of word Loar and dove into a cool clear pool. A totally refreshing simplicity and directness to idea and craft. The "word salad" bar is now closed, replaced by nutritious and satisfying slow fast food. Mr. Loar seems fearless and prepared to take a swing at whatever comes within range. This is really good stuff."

~ Greg Skinner, retired chairman of the art department at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, Washington.

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"I just had to email you and tell you how much I loved your words of art on your web site. I have printed my favorite and keep it in my wallet and it will be read at my funeral when that day finally comes." (Easier To Love A Memory)

~ T. J. Johnson, artist, author and teacher who holds the Guinness World Record for the largest pencil drawing in the world by a single artist

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“I don't usually write to strangers but if I were you I would be interested to know so I'm compelled to tell you. You might get a kick out of knowing that in the early evening in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada, in my stuffy office job at a very rural call center for Register.com. During the freedom of the "after hours" when you gladly exchange the dirty managers for the dusty janitors, and everything is quiet but the humming of the coke machine, aisle 3b all paused for about 45 minutes and bantered your poetry back and forth. We all thought it was great. Somebody 4 cubicles over stumbled upon ihatepoetry.com. If I were you, I would have liked to know.”

~ Megan, a reader

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“I just have to say that I love your poetry. It stirred something deep in me that I had thought to be dead for a very long time. When I read your poetry, I feel the hurt and the love in them, to such an extent, that it brings me to tears. Thank You.”

~ Natasha, a reader

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"Your poetry was and always is a place of safe refuge for me. It's a place where I go to ensure that my healing runs deeper than just superficial. It makes me think!! and that ensures no wound closes so quickly as to entrap any festering seeds of doubt or bitterness.

"I’ve always thought that healing a broken heart or spirit is something that should be well considered, rather than just blotted out, rushed or merely just distracted from.

"Your poetry is a wonderful aid to the sort of deep healing of which I speak, for it has the rare and wonderful qualities of being unpretentious, observational, contemplative and above all else emotionally honest.

"IT IS WHAT IT IS . . . there are few things in today’s world that possess what I call “pureness of motive”............it warms my heart to be able to say that I feel your poetry is one of them."

~ Maxine, a reader