Gary Beck has spent most of his adult life as a theater director and worked as an art dealer when he couldn't earn a living in the theater. He has also been a tennis pro, a ditch digger and a salvage diver. His original plays and translations of Moliere, Aristophanes and Sophocles have been produced Off Broadway. His poetry, fiction and essays have appeared in hundreds of literary magazines and his published books include 26 poetry collections, 10 novels, 3 short story collections, 1 collection of essays and 1 collection of one-act plays. Published poetry books include: Dawn in Cities, Assault on Nature, Songs of a Clerk, Civilized Ways, Displays, Perceptions, Fault Lines, Tremors, Perturbations, Rude Awakenings, The Remission of Order, Contusions and Desperate Seeker (Winter Goose Publishing. Forthcoming: Learning Curve and Ignition Point). Blossoms of Decay, Expectations, Blunt Force, Transitions, Mortal Coil and Temporal Dreams (Wordcatcher Publishing). Earth Links, Too Harsh For Pastels and Severance (Cyberwit Publishing: Forthcoming Redemption Value). His novels include a series ‘Stand to Arms, Marines’: Call to Valor, Crumbling Ramparts and Raise High the Walls (Gnome on Pig Productions). Acts of Defiance, Flare Up and Still Defiant (Wordcatcher Publishing). Extreme Change (Winter Goose Publishing). His short story collections include: A Glimpse of Youth (Sweatshoppe Publications). Now I Accuse and other stories (Winter Goose Publishing) and Dogs Don’t Send Flowers and other stories (Wordcatcher Publishing). The Republic of Dreams and other essays (Gnome on Pig Productions). The Big Match and other one act plays (Wordcatcher Publishing). Collected Plays of Gary Beck Volume 1 and Plays of Aristophanes translated then directed by Gary Beck will be published by Cyberwit Publishing. Gary lives in New York City.
www.garycbeck.com
www.facebook.com/AuthorGaryBeck
1. Learning Curve (34 times seen)
02-11-2020 | Poems
Gary Beck/Learning Curve
Urban Reaches
Alone in a great city
strangers pass,
intent on jobs, crime,
shopping, terror.
I know not what.
They all look remote,
don’t say ‘good morning’,
don’t meet my gaze,
except the hostiles,
when I qu...
2. Fractional Disorder (205 times seen)
28-04-2020 | Poems
Gary Beck/Fractional Disorder
Dread
In the prevailing climate
of imminent destruction
of civilization,
it may no longer be
in our nature
to save ourselves
before it is too late.
Exploration
I will no longer go
down to the river,
follow its flow...
3. Earth Links (522 times seen)
26-06-2019 | Poems
Gary Beck/Earth Links
Celebration
Independence Day
may have meant
more in the 1780’s,
liberty just won,
a new nation
not yet as corrupt,
oppressive,
as the old world,
new citizens hopeful
the eloquent promise
of new government
would bring freedom.
Smolde...
4. Transitions (804 times seen)
29-08-2018 | Poems
Gary Beck/Transitions
Do As I Say
Primitive man
didn't understand
the nature of the universe
and developed superstitions
when answers were needed
to make sense of life.
When tribes gave way
to church and state
the new leaders
promptly took charge
of ...
5. Too Harsh For Pastels (1122 times seen)
30-11-2017 | Poems
Too Harsh For Pastels is an unpublished poetry collection that is concerned with the suffering and growing despair in our troubled society.
Diversion III
The captain reports
fuel tanks are full,
water tank topped off,
preparations made
for a day on the boat.
The chef reports
fresh caviar...
6. Mortal Coil (1599 times seen)
23-03-2017 | Poems
Mortal Coil is an unpublished poetry collection that grapples with the frailty of this conflicted life.
Traveler’s Cares
Perils of the deep
concern fewer and fewer
voyagers,
since air travel
obsoleted ships.
We go from place to place
faster, safer
then ever...
7. Virtual Living (1826 times seen)
11-07-2016 | Poems
Virtual Living is an unpublished collection vitally concerned with the growing frequency of substituting electronic interaction for physical activity.
Future War
Cyber warriors
defend the nation
from sneak attack
seated comfortably
at computer screens,
never face an en...
8. Blunt Force (1819 times seen)
03-02-2016 | Poems
Gary Beck/Blunt Force
Undesired Devices
Terror hovers in the air,
as people go about
normal routines,
some concerned
with enemy threats,
some indifferent,
others oblivious
until detonations
loudly demand
they share danger.
Clumsy Giant
Now t...
9. Rulers (2269 times seen)
19-05-2015 | Poems
Gary Beck/Contusions
Rulers
Chiefs once evolved
from their ability
to provide food, security,
earning the clan's gratitude
for service to the people.
Tyrants pretended to care
until they were strong enough
to take more than their fair shar...
10. Rank Hath Its (2165 times seen)
19-05-2015 | Poems
Gary Beck/Contusions
Rank Hath Its…
Many Generals were killed
in the brutal Civil War,
when leaders led from the front.
Few Generals died
on the battlefields
in succeeding wars,
having convinced themselves
and the gullible public
that they wer...
11. Obituaries (2104 times seen)
19-05-2015 | Poems
Gary Beck/Contusions
Obituaries
Public housing was built
to better the condition
of the urban poor,
providing decent apartments
alternatives to tenements.
City planners didn't foresee
that along with regular people
the disaffected moved in...
12. Media Face (2043 times seen)
19-05-2015 | Poems
Gary Beck/Contusions
Media Face
Crowds flock to the voting booth
supporting the candidate
they never met,
but firmly believe in,
have strong opinions about,
argue passionately for
against those with contrary views,
giving a level of trust
that no one with comm...
13. In Memoriam (1801 times seen)
19-05-2015 | Poems
Gary Beck/Contusions
In Memoriam
Once again that fateful day
is remembered by some,
while many are forgetting,
as people always do,
the shock and urgency
of horrified reaction.
And as the buildings fell,
workers leaping from windows
rather than burni...
14. Desperate Seeker (2566 times seen)
17-03-2013 | Poems
Desperate Seeker: 'Internet Yearning', 'Diminishing Voices', 'Observer', 'Protective Shield', 'Travel II'
Internet Yearning
Ms lonely heart
sits at her computer
reviewing candidates
at an on-line dating service,
each one promising
to make ...
15. Assault on Nature (3276 times seen)
17-03-2013 | Poems
Assault on Nature: Media, Cash or Charge, War on Nature, Bridge, Two Visions
Media
Powerful light splits the night.
Cameras and crew lust the suffering
that is the entertainment of the people.
Trapped in violet despair,
the helpless victims can’t escape
the consuming dance of TV.
...
16. Dawn in Cities (3397 times seen)
17-03-2013 | Poems
Dawn in Cities: 'Effluvia', 'Tidal Sweep', 'Fruitless Search', 'Hope', 'Doomed'
Effluvia
Before dawn
waves break loudest on beaches
when no one suns, or fumbles under blankets.
Morning light makes little whispers
and horizons are attracted
to sand dun...
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