With Beneath the Surface Sherman Cohen once again surprises his readers. This large volume of poems relatively unrelated to one another takes the holder of this book on a ride through the subconscious of a man whose limitations are limitless. Beneath the surface is Sherman Cohen's sixth book following collage. In every book he surprises the reader displaying his unique style emphasizing the unexpected, keeping the reader alert of the ebb and flow of his changing tides, perceptive and acute as the words wash ashore. He explores and admonishes, predicts and poses causing curiosity to curl up in a cozy corner with the author. Once again, this beguiling collection of verse will seduce you. Sherman Cohen does not look through a glass darkly. He sees what you do not see, sometimes dare not face. His words paint patterns with various shapes and colors causing you to look for the iris in his eyes. This book is a very personal journey through his private world terminating at the place where he states "I've said goodbye so many / times and never meant it."
About the Author: Sherman Cohen has been writing poetry since the age of fourteen. At age four he and his recently divorced mother moved into a small walk up apartment occupied by his aunt, uncle, five cousins and grandmother, sharing one bathroom. To cheer up his mother he would read his poems to her. He has continued to write daily ever since. His words seem to appear exponentially with age. His early writings were developed by listening to the conversations taking place on the sidewalks below. After graduating high school he joined the navy. Upon discharge, while working odd jobs he attended Boston College at night. Living through difficult times molded his muse which continues to tap his shoulder urging him on. His poetry has appeared in numerous publications. He incorporates his poetry lectures and conducts his poetry readings at libraries and selected bookstores. He is now working on his latest endeavor entitled "No Parking Spaces So I Can't Stop here." The author teaches classes on "Poetry Simplified" and recently contributed poetry for a new play based on Edna Saint Vincent Millay's residency in her early years as a poet in Greenwich Village, "Before Steepletree." The author has written lyrics for the pop music field as well as musical theatre and his poetry has been recited on stage and television by actors Shirley Jones, Joseph Campanella and also by Shakespearean authority Michael Guastella.