The latest poetry collection by John Keene, and the first one I’ve ever read, is now out via the Song Cave, and I wrote extensively about it over at North of Oxford.
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A review of John Keene’s Punks
Category: Book Reviews
The latest publication from Stephen Collis, A History of the Theories of Rain, continues the poet’s commitment to a climate poetics capable of global and personal simultaneously. “each mouth a poem / we did not taste / shouting venom at the state / of the world” the poet writes mid-way through the volume (27). When Collis isn’t following a stream-of-consciousness mode that captures the distinct raw energy of observation, he’s rigidly and powerfully constructing form-intensive lyrics that demand to be reread for maximum effect. One minimalist example found in the book’s second section, “Sketch of a Poem I Will Not Have Written,” reads: “How to dwell (and I mean this / in a world that / shaped as it is by hate and blindness / (love and / blindness / runs right over the rim?” (35).
The works here cover a lot of time and space, but as with his former books, Collis’s eyes and ears are dedicated to the finite of the contemporary, capturing what is ever fleeting; and also, Collis foils news and events with the ongoing emotional transformations that result, including the distinct laments and sorrows faced by decaying ecologies. While the BC-based poet may feel distinctly Canadian in tone and pacing, his poetry here continues to carry his unique and uniquely universal voice, combining fresh language with lyrical comfort of decades-past.
The book contains a variety of language across its four sections, but my favorite section, which resonated with me the most, was the final, which the book is named after. “A History of the Theories of Rain” reminded me of my own book, Of Spray and Mist, and so much more. Obviously, this has to do with its centralization of water: “Water is temporary importance / celestial signal of life precipitate on fluid surface” (83). But it is also the brutal truth at its own liquid core that resonates with me. The section is filled with powerful phrases that left me reeling in my seat: “I have dreamed of these / little worlds / droplets / the pain of trying / to change everything” (93). The book really is one that reflects upon and inspires action throughout observation. I can’t recommend it enough.
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Review of Hinostroza’s Contra natura
You’ll find my latest review of Contra natura by the acclaimed Peruvian poet Rodolfo Hinostroza up at North of Oxford!
While it was written in 2021, it’s time to ring in the new year with new reviews of new(ish) books of poems. This first one for me for 2022 is a collection by Joey Yearous-Algozin, A Feeling Called Heaven. You can find the review at North of Oxford.
I have reviewed Sarah Mangold’s newest book, Her Wilderness Will Be Her Manners, over at North of Oxford. Take a read, explore this new book!
My latest review of Karen Elizabeth Bishop’s new poetry collection is now available at North of Oxford. Read it here.
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A review of Amy Beeder’s work
Happy to announce I have reviewed Amy Beeder’s And So Wax Was Made & Also Honey over at North of Oxford.
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New Rain Taxi Reviews
Another month, more reviews of poetry.
The Fall 2021 print edition of Rain Taxi includes my review of Is This Scary? by Jacob Scheier.
The online edition of Rain Taxi just released by review of CURB by Divya Victor.
Don’t miss ’em!
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Saturn Peach Reviewed
My newest review is live and online. I have reviewed Saturn Peach by Lily Wang in Rain Taxi. You can find it here.
My latest review is of Carnation and Tenebrae Candle by Marosa di Giorgio, Translated by Jeannine Marie. The review of this fantastic surrealistic work by the Uruguayan poet is at North of Oxford. Enjoy!
I had the privilege and pleasure of writing on the new collection by Thulani Davis, Nothing But the Music, which has been added to North of Oxford. Highly recommend the book to anyone who’s interested in the Black Arts Movement and poetry by Black women past or present.
My second review of Jamie Sharpe’s work is in North of Oxford. I review Everything You Hold Dear following up Dazzle Ships from way back in 2017.
I’m excited to have received a copy of the latest Rain Taxi in my mailbox this weekend. The Spring 2021 issue features two book reviews concerning the poetry of the Serbian poet Marija Knežević (Breathing Technique, from Zephyr Press), and the Spanish Agustín Fernández Mallo (Pixel Flesh, Cardboard House Press). You can order a copy from via the Rain Taxi website.
My latest review is of Tanya Holtland’s full-length poetry collection, Requisite, out by Platypus last year. This book is a follow-up to the chapbook Inner River, which I enjoyed immensely when it came out a few years ago. The review is featured at North of Oxford.
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A Review of Marie Lundquist
A review of a fascinating Swedish feminist poet has just been published in Rain Taxi. Why not read my review of I walk around gathering up my garden for the night by Marie Lundquist today?