My first collection of poems, published by Kelsay Books/Aldrich Press (July 2015).
Poetry
“Captain Hook and Mr. Darling Sitting Poolside”
Here’s my latest poem, up at the always-entertaining Gingerbread House Literary Magazine. Much thanks to the editors there for including my poem among their fine writers and artists.
http://gingerbreadhouselitmag.com/2015/08/28/captain-hook-and-mr-darling-sitting-poolside/
“Dick Dale Conquers the World”
This one is a true story. Plus, if it makes you go listen to some Dick Dale, I’ve accomplished a good thing.
“The Cliff Walkers” “The Buddha of Newport” and “On Visiting Salve Regina University, Newport, Rhode Island”
A visit to a good friend in Rhode Island brought me this trio of poems. Prime Number is another of my favorite online journals and I’m proud these poems have such a good home. You can also find them in Prime Number Magazine Editors’ Selections anthology, Volume 3.
http://www.primenumbermagazine.com/Issue31_Poetry_JohnMcDermott.html
“Crazeology” and “Momentum”
The museum of americana is one of the coolest online journals, especially if you love American music. I’ve been so fortunate to have been included in two of their issues. (“Dick Dale Conquers the World” first appeared in the museum, too.). Check out their site for great writing and really fun links to music and more. These two poems are about a pair of my favorite jazz musicians, Charlie “Bird” Parker and Chet Baker.
http://themuseumofamericana.net/current-issue/poetry/two-poems-by-john-mcdermott/
“Broken Jukeboxes Half Buried in Sand”
If I could ever have anyone dramatically recite this poem, it would be David Bowie. Or Meatloaf.
http://www.valpo.edu/vpr/v14n1/v14n1poetry/mcdermottbroken.php
“Chuck Berry on the 405” and “The Sorrows of Rhett Butler”
A few years back I had two poems in Cobalt Review’s Year 2 anthology. Both of these poems are included in my first book, but I loved the Cobalt anthology so much, I figured I’d pitch that here, too.
“Inappropriate Gifts for Infants”
The title of this one tells you what you need to know.
http://treehousemag.com/2012/09/24/inappropriate-gifts-for-infants/
“Listening to New Vinyl”
Frequently, my poems are fiction. This one is mostly fiction, except for my relationship to records.