Jeffrey McDaniel

McDaniel toys with language and plants surreal tattoos on the maelstrom of life. We find telescopes budding from veins and politicians sipping mouse blood. In these poems one finds visceral explorations of loss and drug-fueled oblivion, alongside fun house mirrors held up against the political landscape. At his best, McDaniel is daring, with lines that employ unexpected images and subjects that sink into the gut like a hard jab.

These are deeper, darker, and more personal poems than in his previous books. Some political poems are quite affecting, as are several longer poems which seem to be written for slam. McDaniel's poetry is still bright, imaginative, painful, and funny. This is a thoroughly satisfying book.

This is the first book I read by Jeffrey McDaniel, acquired after hearing him read at the National Poetry Slam in Austin, TX in 1995. He's smart, articulate, self-consciously slacker generation, and very funny. Poetry can be both fun and serious-- this is.

Energetic, delightful, accessible poetry by a young master.