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Short Fuse: The Global Anthology of New Fusion Poetry. Todd Swift, Philip Norton, eds. Hal Niedzviecki, intro. New York. Rattapallax. 2002. 400 pages + CD. $24. ISBN 1-892494-53-1
ACCORDING TO SOME, the primary task of an anthology is to provide either a microcosm or a mirror to the world at large, sometimes to strip away the veil of self-delusion, at other times to shame, shock, or simply force the readers to take pause and to recognize that poets' mostly marginalized voices do exist. Practically by definition, an anthology serves a subversive task, and the works, collectively and severally, interrogate dominant ideologies and world views. Short Fuse is no exception. Of the 175 poets represented in the collection, many have written poems that question the values associated with pop culture, globalization, consumer culture, and some of the most publicized conflicts.
Many of...