Behind Bite [excerpts] Bite, the title of this manuscript, represents my outlook on the genre of poetry through my biggest influences and through the content of my work. Poetry should "bite" you, leave an in impression. It should continue to haunt you long after you read it, like it's gotten under your skin and you carry it with you everywhere you go.... The key writers and works that "bit" me, influencing my manuscript are: Lucille Clifton (...

Statement of Aesthetics [excerpts] Living with Shadows is a collection of poems derived from many experiences with a handful of people I've encountered in my life. I titled this collection Living with Shadows because I am now living with just memories of many of the people I have written about - some because they have passed on, and others because they are no longer a part of my life. Developing this manuscript has been, by far, the biggest growth for me...

Aesthetic Statement [excerpts] Minor Pisces is the capstone to my time spent in the MA program at Monmouth. With this, I endeavor to portray the joy and deep-seated loneliness found in romantic relationships. Structurally, the poems have been arranged to fade from one small moment or observation to the next to create a sense of intimacy and privacy. While the works are free verse, there is a sense of restraint and attention to the weight a line can bear done in order to emphasize the...

Scope and Contents From the Collection: The collection consists of theses written by students enrolled in the Monmouth University graduate English program. The holdings are primarily bound print documents that were submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for the Master of Arts or Master of Fine Arts degrees.Students become eligible to pursue the Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) degree if they have obtained a Master of Arts...