Matthew Dickman

I really loved almost every poem in this book. Some of them I will probably read over and over again. Some of them made me uncomfortable, but that's not a bad thing. It's powerful. It was slow to read because after every poem I wanted to stop and think. Dickman captures so many truths and situations in such concise and excellent packages, and they are all a pleasure to read.

i'm no poetry connoisseur, but this is excellent. i don't understand it all or it would probably get 5 stars. the best poetry collection i've read in a while (not that i read all that much poetry; this is the first one of the year for me) and is definitely a keeper. i'd been hearing his name for a few years, but didn't know if i'd like his stuff or not but this book makes me certain i will seek out all of his work.

Matthew Dickman amazes me. I was first introduced to his poetry while watching the live stream from 2010's Geraldine R. Dodge Poetry Festival. The poem "V" completely grabbed me. I didn't know that poem was in this book when I purchased at the Festival, but was very happy to find that it is. Even more so, I am happy that ALL of the poems in here are just as gut-punching and dazzling as my first taste. More, please.

I read this book as an electronic advance reading copy provided by Edelweiss, and I have submitted my comments to the publisher via that web site.

These brief poems are insightful and often tender, even as they discuss violence and bigotry. Recommended.

Favorite lines:
From Bad Love:
"We keep
lifting beers to our mouths like
weightlifters lifting very small weights."

From Black Flag (one of several poems whose title is also a hardcore band name):
"Who looks at something empty and doesn't show more think
about what
they could fill it with? No one." show less