This book took me two months to read; every poem in it brought me to a full stop. I like to read a poem or two in the morning as part of my wakeup routine, but these sometimes added more fog than they lifted and I didn't always feel good about that. I struggled, was inspired, flashed illuminated, and by the end had maybe learned how to read it--without linear expectations. I could easily spend a week with just one of these mercurial, wild poems. But I suspect dancing with them and moving on is the best way, then coming back later.
The funny thing is that I discovered this book at an indie folk house concert in Eugene maybe 10 or 12 years ago. The host was a poet, maybe a student at the U of O, and gave me the book spontaneously after I picked it up off a pile on a coffee table or book shelf. I believe he said this was his favorite poet. I wish I could thank him for this gift in person, that was very kind of him.
