Customer Reviews

The House of Blue Light (Southern Messenger Poets)

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I realized how much I liked this book when I found myself reading aloud poem after poem to my roomate, a psychology major, and her boyfriend, a physics major. I promised after each poem that it would surely be my last one. Then I'd come across a poem that contained an "Ah Oui Girl" or Roman Polanski and I'd be reading again despite that I had a sore throught and coughed every five lines. I brutally killed each poem, but when I finally put the book down, my roomate remarked that I should "leave the book lying around" so she can "read it sometime." I think what draws the reader into Kirby's poems is an interesting voice and humor, but what keeps the reader lingering is an unexpected twist, an unseen destination that brings the poem together, that makes the reader scratch his head and expel an 'aaaaah hmm.'

Refreshing to the era, David Kirby presents a narrative-reminiscent book of poetry that appeals to even those that are verse-shy. He is wonderful, with vivid descriptions and pertinent symolism that is many layers deep. My poetry teacher says that a good poem usually has at least three things going on in it...Kirby exceeds this and stil gives us an understandable and intellectual piece of work. He is an amazing poet, and this book is a must-have for anyone interested in poetry, life, fun, sex, food, travel, people or themselves. Get your hands on this one, and share it with your friends.

I came to Kirby from the 2001 issue of BAP which included one of the poems from this book. Long lines, similar to whitman, ginsberg, or Campbell McGrath, very anecdotal in nature, funny, and insightful. My favorite poems in this were James Dickey's Dream, Tige Watley's Whoah, and My dead dad, but every poem is amazing. It's a quick read, very accessible, and after each poem you sit back and just think, wow. Kirby's one of my three favorite poets now, with McGrath, and at the opposite end of the spectrum, Kay Ryan.

Refreshing to the era, David Kirby presents a narrative-reminiscent book of poetry that appeals to even those that are verse-shy. He is wonderful, with vivid descriptions and pertinent symolism that is many layers deep. My poetry teacher says that a good poem usually has at least three things going on in it...Kirby exceeds this and stil gives us an understandable and intellectual piece of work. He is an amazing poet, and this book is a must-have for anyone interested in poetry, life, fun, sex, food, travel, people or themselves. Get your hands on this one, and share it with your friends.

This collection is always startling, intensely amusing, and all-around wonderful. When my husband saw me doubling over with laughter and then heard me say, "Okay, listen to this," he knew I was going to read him a poem from _The House of Blue Light_. David Kirby deserves a wide, WIDE audience. I intend to order additional copies of this book for friends. Do yourself a favor and order a copy for yourself today.