Poems from ''The Avalanche''

About the Book

Accounts of eye witnesses to The Avalanche: It won’t even vaguely remind you of SNOW FALLING ON CEDARS.” Hop Wechsler, Poet, Coconspirator Al Ferber’s poetry, often brittle reflections on the nature of being, the meaning of life, relationships, spirituality, capture the mystique, the exuberance and claustrophobic angst of a working class Catholic world.” Arthur Valenzuela, Linguist, MSW Gus swings ! Jack Roe, Actor, Publican, World Traveler “They touch me, confuse me, speak to me, uncover me, scare me.” Diva, aka Jo Joy, aka Joann Gorman, Nurse, Photographer, and E-Mail Poet Al Ferber has created an urban Everyman who encounters life’s rudest shocks and most exalted pleasures with dazed surprise and self deprecating humor. In Ferber’s spare, sometimes delicate, frequently twisted lines (which are not for the scatologically sensitive), we see a character who is usually preoccupied with sex, and occasionally touched by the joy of unexpected beauty and love. There is an odd kind of grace in Gus, a hopefulness which, in spite of itself, sometimes shades over into something very close to faith.” Bill Kassell, Author, Playwright, Singer Songwriter Well folks, Gus has been wandering in the wastelands now for nigh unto thirty years or more. It’s high time there be an avalanche or two (or six thousand) to finally please his creator and his followers alike. R. Philip Toy, Poet, aka “Rainbow” “Al, I love the freaking poems, almost felt some of Gus’ shit myself.” Jack Apsche, PhD Clinical Psychology, Certifiable Madman “Desarollandote en una forma mas completa. mas creativo con mucha sensitividad. Sorry - more easier for me to say in Spanish. I’m sure you will figure it out.” Marti Padilla, Physical Therapist & Love Goddess to the Sick & Infirmed

About the Author

Al Ferber, a street kid from the Hunting Park section of North Philadelphia and an unlikely prospect to become a poet has been writing poetry for over 45 years. He attended Bucks CCC, Penn State University, Temple University, Villanova University. His poetry has appeared in over three dozen poetry journals and small magazines. He has also written several novels, two of them published, plays and articles. He has published 17 books of poetry. He has worked as a teacher, Executive Director for an Employment and Training Program, Director for an Outreach Center for Vietnam Veterans, Bartender and manager of Tangier Café in Center City, Philadelphia. He has spent the last 15 plus years in recovery from alcoholism and the last 14 plus years as a D & A Addictions Therapist. He lives in Bensalem, PA and Ocean City NJ with Cathi, his delightfully insane wife of more than 25 years.