The parenthesis in 20th century poetry has a long and heralded past from Yeats and Browning to cummings and Bishop. But perhaps no one has mastered the use of the lunulae as well as Times reporter and UrbanEye e-letter scribe Melena Ryzik. Perusing her articles one is struck by the epigrammatic parenthetical asides that glitter like diamonds in the rough crazy of her prose.

In fact, she's nearly always perfect, and complete, within the shelter of the parenthesis. This is perhaps most true for her latest piece, Off the Beaten Path, chronicling hipster concerts in Brooklyn (illegal lofts, skinny jeans, Karen O.).

Off the Beaten Beat
 (Yes, Virginia, there's even cheap beer.)
(and more butterflies)
(think of Sally Jessy Raphael)
(a long walk from the subway is common)
(if occasionally stinky)

In the interest of the advancement of poetry we bravely soldiered through her archives. Move over, Eliot, there's a new poet in town (and she's better dressed).

Dance Hall Daze
(the bigger the name on your handbag, the better)
(I still wanted to be able to brag about my weekend on Monday)
(The club-hopper's bat signal)

A Room With A Past
(O.K., it is a little Miami)
(sweater vests, Converse, hoodies)

Is It Over? Log On and See
(romance)
(she now blogs instead).
(back in 2004, when Friendster was cool)

Watch your back, Meghan O'Rourke! —Josh

[Original photo: Michael Falco]