Kent Taylor – the Poet, the Friend
A College Composition by Erika L. Flick
April 17, 2004
www.lkwdpl.org/lfiles/taylor/


In the year 2004, if someone wants to hear a poetry recital, all they have to do is go to the nearest Borders bookstore, Arabica coffee house, local library or any college campus. The city of Cleveland, Ohio, offers numerous venues like these for poetry readings and discussions. In any given month, there are at least 10-20 advertised poetry readings. Local writers and poets have the privilege of reciting their works free from most political oppression and censorship. Bookstores and libraries stock their shelves with popular poetry and most recent publications can easily be ordered if out of stock. Basic evolution and technological advances are partly responsible for the literary forum of today. Credit for having the greatest impact on the freedom and acceptance of today' s poets must be given to a significant group of artists who emerged in the early 1960's. During an era when the freedom of speech amendment meant very little to politicians, artists were forced '''underground'' to secretly produce and distribute their material.

Kent Taylor was an integral part of this underground movement. Born Paul Kent Taylor on November 8, 1940, he and his mother survived a very complicated delivery demonstrating his strong will and determination very early on in his life. Although his parents lived in Cleveland, Kent was born in New Castle, Pennsylvania at the hospital where his mother, Goldie, received her training as a psychiatric nurse. Like most women in the 40s and 50's, Kent's mother did not work during his childhood. Paul, Kent's father was a traveling salesman and they lived modestly. His mother and father did not drink alcohol but they frequently argued in the home. Signifying a relationship with death (that would later develop in his writing), perhaps due to his near fatal delivery, at three years of age Kent developed a strong liking to the death scene of the opera, La Triaviata and would play it repeatedly on his wind up Victrola record player. Kent attended Hayes Elementary School in Lakewood, Ohio. Though he always earned good grades and for many years had perfect attendance, his teachers often commented that he showed little self-control in the classroom. Although they had a good relationship growing up, like most older siblings do, Kent often picked on his little sister, Pamela. Because of the good grades that Kent received, their mother sometimes viewed Pamela as a disobedient child because she did not earn the same high marks in school, and that disappoint Kent. While attending Lakewood High School, Kent played football and ran competitive sprints. In 1955, he and his father saw Bill Haley and the Comets perform their new hit single, Rock Around the Clock. The year before Kent graduated high school, he had the rare opportunity to see Elvis Presley perform at the Cleveland Arena! That same year, Goldie and Paul were divorced. They had fought for many years, but stayed together because they believed it was best for Kent and Pamela. Kent graduated from Lakewood High in 1958 and was awarded a college scholarship of $600 per year.

Kent's love affair with poetry began in his freshman year of college in 1958 at Ohio Wesylan University. Reading Howl by Alan Ginsberg and On the Road by Jack Kerouac had a profound effect on Kent. Even though he was a pre-med student and had planned on becoming a psychiatrist, Kent knew from the moment he read those poems that he was meant to be a writer. He continued his education and moved on to medical school at Ohio State University, but dropped out in 1963, wanting to begin his writing career. Upon returning to Cleveland, Kent visited a bookstore where he happened upon a freelance poetry magazine with the name of Russell Atkins on the back cover. Kent immediately contacted Russell and they quickly became friends. Russell invited Kent to attend a workshop, in the home of Adelaide Simon, the editor of the freelance magazine. It was through Russell that Kent met d.a levy, Russell Salomon, John and Susan Cornillon, and Jim Lowell, who owned the Asphodel bookstore. Kent had an immediate connection with D.A and felt he had found a kindred spirit and best friend.

Daring to write poetry that was considered obscene at the time, Kent and the other renegade writers were subject to police raids and arrest as was Lowell for promoting their works. D.A introduced his cousin Joanie to Kent and they soon became a couple, living together in a common-law marriage. In 1964, their son, Mark was born. Kent and Joanie marched in anti-war protests, sometimes with Mark in a stroller. There were riots in the streets and sometimes bricks would be thrown at the picketers. It was a very dangerous time to protest. Amidst the insanity of the Vietnam War, it was also a time of great creativity and poetry. Words that bad never been written before were put to paper. Friends gathered in the basements of churches or homes and read poems together. Sharing an almost secret knowledge, this small group of artists had a very strong bond among them. Kent and the others worked tirelessly to promote the poetry without much financial reward or support.

On a day typical like any other, in November 1968, Kent awoke with poetry in his head, a poem for his best friend, which he later proceeded to write. Kent, Tom Kryss, and r.j.s., two writers and mends who emerged on the scene in the mid 60's, were to visit D.A and work on printing. Arriving at D.A.'s home, the trio was surprised not to receive an answer at the door. d.a. rarely broke plans or missed appointments. Tragically, it was discovered that d.a. levy had committed suicide. Kent learned of D.A.'s death via phone call from Tom Kryss. To the world of poetry, a great artist was lost. To Kent Taylor, a truly great friend had stolen his life too quickly. Kent titled the poem he had written earlier in the day, "lines written a few hours before learning that d.a. levy had shot himself to death."

Kent grew tired of Cleveland and in 1970 he moved to northern California with Helen, leaving behind friends, a broken marriage, and though incredibly difficult, his son Mark. Kent and Helen shared a very deep love for each other and for life. They both felt it was time for a change of scenery. Helen was first to find work, Kent shortly after, both in the field of medical research in San Mateo, California. Kent remained true to his passion and continued to write poetry, always carrying a pad of paper and sometimes drafting poems in the research laboratory. Kent's writing process changed sometime in his mid-thirties. No longer a one-day process, Kent believed he was losing the craft of writing poetry and didn't write anything for nine months. After the death of his father, Kent began to write again, though in a much slower and methodical process.

Kent and Helen did not have any children together, but Kent was very fond of his two stepchildren, grandchildren and maintained a long-distance relationship with Mark. Kent and Helen both shared an enthusiasm for travel, fine dining and fine wine and truly enjoyed life together. Sadly, in 1988, Helen lost her battle with breast cancer and passed away. Kent spent much time with Helen's granddaughter, Jeanine while her mother worked. 5 year old Jeanine's vibrancy and livelihood helped ease the grief and pain for Kent. Kent's poem titled "Chasing Helen" written the year of her death, defines the meaning of love and loss.

Kent moved his mother from Cleveland to Tucson, Arizona after the death of her second husband, Basil in 1989. Goldie passed away in 1996. Today, Kent is retired and living in a small flat in San Francisco, California. He still enjoys fine dining, wines and vintage cars; driving a 1971 VW Beetle, the last new car he bought paying only $2,500! Surrounded by family, his son Mark, sister Pamela, friend Joanie, and Helen's children and grandchildren all live in the Bay area of northern California. Except for an insatiable sweet tooth, Kent eats healthy foods, is fit and in good general health. An avid runner, Kent loves short distance sprints and plays football with friends on the weekends. Visiting the library often, Kent spends time browsing the internet, borrowing books and movies. He is currently reading James Wright, an Ohio poet and friend of Jim Lowell, Tom Kryss and RJ.S. Like many forward-thinkers, Kent's political views are more independent, slightly radical, and definitely NOT Republican. He has strong convictions and beliefs, but is very open-minded. Kent is known as a good friend too many. He is generous with his time, conversation and affection. Kent Taylor continues to write poetry that is vulnerably honest, emotional and genuine. His most recent publication is Night Physics. Though considered some of his best work, only 75 copies were published in 2002 and they are very difficult to obtain. He rarely writes about being from Cleveland, though some of his earlier works were about the city and her parts. "12-29-68 Cleveland", "Death of an Amusement Park" and "Euclid Avenue, 55th-107th" do not necessarily paint the town in a good light, but highlight the constant rebirth. When Kent and Helen made the decision to move to California, Kent had many mixed feelings about being so far away from his son. Much of that torment can be read in poems like "Driving to meet my son", "10-1-68", "For Mark" and "To my Son (age 6). Lines like "my hands only touch him once a week", or "simply my son here and me, a continent west, this is what I must live with, test my nerve with, measure my love with" exhibit his deep love for his son. Somehow, in these poems there is a strong sense that Kent is longing to be somewhere else and that he does not regret his decision to leave. Many of his poems he wrote for or dedicated to his mends. Expressing gratitude for the unrelenting support, and loyal companionship, "a love poem (for d.a.)", ''for d.a. levy and john comillon", "3-18-68 (for jack kerouac)", and "adelaide simon" give example to Kent's capacity for love and appreciation. Kent's relationship with death, even from an early age, has had an impact on his writing and it shows in many of his poems. It would seem as though Kent's words on paper are his defense against the death that comes and steals his loved ones away. Kent writes about what he knows and loves, and maybe sometimes about what he strongly dislikes. He is an incredible human being, and has the courage to show his capacity for love and pain, hurt and anger, joy and sorrow, in ink, on paper, sharing with us – himself.


Poems by Kent Taylor:

words
8-13-67
i feel like seven days
for k.
10-30-68

www.lkwdpl.org/lfiles/tay...rnbirds.pdf

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Torn Birds (San Francisco: Black Rabbit Press, 1969) first edition, stapled silk-screened wrappers, 500 copies, cover art and preface by T.L. Kryss, blurb by d.a. levy.




9-10-69
for mark
easter – 1971

www.lkwdpl.org/lfiles/tay...Outside.pdf

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Shit Outside When Eating Berries (Cleveland: Black Rabbit Press, 1971) first edition, stapled illustrated wrappers, 268 copies, mimeograph printed.

returning to Cleveland with an olive
branch

a belated touch for d.a. levy

www.lkwdpl.org/lfiles/tay...ateShow.pdf

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Late Show At The Starlight Laundry (Cleveland: Black Rabbit Press, 1989) first edition, stapled silk-screened wrappers, cover art by T.L. Kryss.

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Works Cited

Taylor, Kent. Interviews with Erika Flick.
March, April 2004

Deep Cleveland 17 Apr. 2004
levy, d.a
www.deepcleveland.com

Writers Register 27 Feb. 2004
Taylor, Kent
writersregister.com/artists/CA331

d.a. levy Home Page 19 Apr. 2004
Taylor, Kent
www.thing.net/~grist/l&d/dalevy/dalevy.htm

Taylor, Kent Driving Like the Sun
Washington: Vagabond Press 1976

Taylor, Kent Cleveland Dreams
Cardiff cf4 2nb: Second Aeon Publications 1971

Taylor, Kent Shit Outside When Eating Berries
Cleveland: Black Rabbit Press 1971

levy, d.a 465~ An Anthology of Cleveland Poets
Cleveland: 7 Flowers Press 1966

Brown, Janet, Doug Blazek, T.L. Kryss, Art Lindenberg, Kent Taylor, Don Cauble, the
Willie, Pete LaRouche, Mike Trudeau, Karen Waring Death Row.
Portland: Dead Angel Press 1970