Storyteller in Times Square

By Caryl Johnston

Storyteller in Times Square opens with a visit to New York and the ruins of the World Trade Center. Thus begins a poetry collection that reflects in subtle and surprising ways the post World War II history of the United States. Without being either “political” or “ideological,” the poet employs concise and often disciplined forms of language to touch upon deeper matters of destiny and feeling.  Our lives, our deeds, our ideas—all of these have consequences for how we treat our land and each other. The moments of lyricism and humor help us to keep our balance. And the perspective is important, for these poems are about paying attention to reality. Can we pay attention to the voices of history submerged in our wake, swirling behind us? Perhaps that question in essence is what these poems ask of us.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Jun 23, 2023
• ISBN: 9798886937268

Caryl Johnston

Caryl Johnston was born in 1947 in Birmingham, Alabama. She now lives in Philadelphia. A collection of poems on biblical themes Instead of Eyes was published by her in 1979, through Hawthorne Press, Lenox, MA. One poem from this collection, Isaac’s Age, appeared in The Literary Review (New Jersey). Another self-published collection, Indulge Me Once, is available through Lulu.com. Three poems in that book, At the End of an Age, The Norns, and the concluding poem, The Banquet, were added to this collection. At the End of an Age was published in the July, 2022 issue of Chronicles. Caryl is also the author of Consecrated Venom: The Serpent and the Tree of Knowledge (Floris Books, Edinburgh, 2000). Her book about Birmingham in the civil rights era, and the themes of race, slavery, civil rights, and religion as reflected in her family over five generations, is called Stewards of History: Land and Time in the Story of a Southern Family. It has been published by Abbeville Institute Press and is available on Amazon.

Book preview

About the Author

Caryl Johnston was born in 1947 in Birmingham, Alabama. She now lives in Philadelphia. A collection of poems on biblical themes Instead of Eyes was published by her in 1979, through Hawthorne Press, Lenox, MA. One poem from this collection, Isaac’s Age, appeared in The Literary Review (New Jersey).

Another self-published collection, Indulge Me Once, is available through Lulu.com. Three poems in that book, At the End of an Age, The Norns, and the concluding poem, The Banquet, were added to this collection. At the End of an Age was published in the July, 2022 issue of Chronicles.

Caryl is also the author of Consecrated Venom: The Serpent and the Tree of Knowledge (Floris Books, Edinburgh, 2000). Her book about Birmingham in the civil rights era, and the themes of race, slavery, civil rights, and religion as reflected in her family over five generations, is called Stewards of History: Land and Time in the Story of a Southern Family. It has been published by Abbeville Institute Press and is available on Amazon.

Dedication

For my family and friends—my appreciation and gratitude

Copyright Information ©

Caryl Johnston 2023

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher.

Any person who commits any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

Ordering Information

Quantity sales: Special discounts are available on quantity purchases by corporations, associations, and others. For details, contact the publisher at the address below.

Publisher’s Cataloging-in-Publication data

Johnston, Caryl

Storyteller in Times Square

ISBN 9798886937237 (Paperback)

ISBN 9798886937244 (Hardback)

ISBN 9798886937268 (ePub e-book)

ISBN 9798886937251 (Audiobook)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023905687

www.austinmacauley.com/us

First Published 2023

Austin Macauley Publishers LLC

40 Wall Street, 33rd Floor, Suite 3302

New York, NY 10005

USA

[e-mail]

[phone]

Storyteller in Times Square

With Linda Sussman, August 9, 2002¹

On the night before the play began,

The story Ovid told in Metamorphoses,

We strolled the half-hour in Times Square,

Beneath tall buildings where convergent streets

Opened in a spoon-shaped gap.

Crowds swarmed everywhere—

All the living poured into these streets

To learn transactions of the air,

From souls to bodies, from air to ground,

And back to neon throbbing atmosphere—

All exchanges are now commercialized,

With bodies and souls undergoing

The transforming traffic of the financial,

With the compound interest from the old

Persisting, multiplying and potential.

Yet, curiously enough,

Bright legends still cash up