Introduction for Ted Pearson
By CA Conrad

In 1971 Tony Shear used Julian and Gregorian calendars to determine the arrival of the Harmonic Convergence at the end of 1987, which was expected to spill its harmonious frequency into the next few years. Yet counter opinions predicted a disembodied futurist corporation, the opportune time for global connection, for better or worse.

As a young poet who was concerned with a larger world-view beyond the one-dimensional New Age interpretations of this cosmic and emotional phenomenon, I was pleased and intrigued with the discovery of Ted Pearson's book PLANETARY GEAR, written from 1988 to 1990, during the gut's journey of this planetary cycle. These poems never closed the door on human potential, yet gave a far more realistic, three-dimensional window on this critical time of the world's gentle, melancholy footsteps forward. And the question of what "forward" meant was just as mysterious and compelling as the experience in the world outside the suspiciously naive optimism being forecast by yoga instructors and Sedona turquoise peddlers alike.

As the mystic-philosopher Krishnamurti had said, "In the larger the smaller exists, but in the smaller the larger can never fit." Pearson's poems always prove to be large enough to hold all the smaller flags of determination. Of his 15 book titles, these include SOUNDINGS, published by Philadelphia's Singing Horse Press editor Gil Ott. It is no surprise Gil Ott would have been drawn to Pearson's unique sonic landscapes and climates.

There's also his more recent collection, SONGS ASIDE: 1992-2002, of which Ed Roberson says, "There is some big music here from just barely off the event-horizon of language where we stand." And then again, as Pearson's own poem says,

Polis is spoils
in mirrored shades
of works and days
an old refrain
the sting of which
collective sweat
a cool breeze
don't explain

Please help me welcome poet Ted Pearson to the podium.