Gary Beck
Environmental Hazards A boy grew upin the South Bronxa reluctant residentof public housing,gang infested, drugs,crime, violence, prostitution,a learning academy,unwholesome preparationfor a dubious futureof limited optionsarbitrarily reducedby daily activities,drug-dealing, pimping,running errands for gangsters,evading drive-by shootings,lack of opportunitythe final judgeof a lost life. Pet Friendly My dog lies on his matsleeping fitfully,legs twitching, running,making animal sounds,atavistic pursuit of prey,contemplating a dog biscuit,I do not know.He does not worrythat I cannot pay my bills.Soon we'll be in the streetand I may have to abandonmy best friendfor lack of masteryof capitalism. Time Served The bars are meltingin my prison cellrelentless containment ebbs,confinement evaporates.I anticipate releasesavoring freedom's peace,relief from guilt.Only the approach of deathcan mar the celebrationof long awaited parole.
Gary Beck has spent most of his adult life as a theater director. Published chapbooks include: 'Remembrance', Origami Condom Press; 'The Conquest of Somalia', Cervena Barva Press; 'The Dance of Hate', Calliope Nerve Media; 'Material Questions', Silkworms Ink; 'Dispossessed', Medulla Press, 'Mutilated Girls', Heavy Hands Ink and ‘Escape to Cyberspace’, Writing Knights Press . His poetry collection 'Days of Destruction' was published by Skive Press; 'Expectations', Rogue Scholars Press; 'Dawn in Cities', Winter Goose Publishing; ‘Assault on Nature’, Winter Goose Publishing. ‘Songs of a Clerk’ and ‘Civilized Ways’ will be published by Winter Goose Publishing. His novel 'Extreme Change' was published by Cogwheel Press; 'Acts of Defiance' was published by Artema Press. His collection of short stories, ‘A Glimpse of Youth’ was published by Sweatshoppe Publications. 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. He currently lives in New York City.
Gary Beck has spent most of his adult life as a theater director. Published chapbooks include: 'Remembrance', Origami Condom Press; 'The Conquest of Somalia', Cervena Barva Press; 'The Dance of Hate', Calliope Nerve Media; 'Material Questions', Silkworms Ink; 'Dispossessed', Medulla Press, 'Mutilated Girls', Heavy Hands Ink and ‘Escape to Cyberspace’, Writing Knights Press . His poetry collection 'Days of Destruction' was published by Skive Press; 'Expectations', Rogue Scholars Press; 'Dawn in Cities', Winter Goose Publishing; ‘Assault on Nature’, Winter Goose Publishing. ‘Songs of a Clerk’ and ‘Civilized Ways’ will be published by Winter Goose Publishing. His novel 'Extreme Change' was published by Cogwheel Press; 'Acts of Defiance' was published by Artema Press. His collection of short stories, ‘A Glimpse of Youth’ was published by Sweatshoppe Publications. 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. He currently lives in New York City.