Customer Reviews

And Howls for Us to Follow: A Book of Poems

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I admit this anthology of poetic-almost dissonant-chords is not going to be music to the ears of everyone. It's strange...but fascinating as hell. If one reads these poems WISELY one might come to realize that they are more than just personal refrains from a poet of the political imagination (as some have implied). I say this because if we posit that the language of poetry is a deeply connotative language, we cannot help but conclude that Kenny Rose Butts' sometimes bruising-yet always heated-poetry is a clearly invented rhythmical device designed to reveal our nation's condition as one of severe hypocrisy, thoughtlessness, subjugation...and even misery. His choice of literal and connotative words and subjects function as a signifier of this national condition, allowing him to more readily expose to his readers the oft abstract relationship between colonizer and colonized, between dissident and flag-waver, and between friend and foe in a particularly adept and bizarre depiction. Good stuff here, folks. Give it a read. Then give some it THOUGHT.

Just finished reading And Howls for us to Follow and thought the prose was inspiring, and superb cultural observation and commentary. Truly thought-provoking!

Having read and contemplated this unusual and exceptional collection of poetry, I tend to see the poetry of Kenny Rose Butts as lessons in awareness, urging and pulling me ever-closer to wisdom and enlightenment. In a sometimes dark world, the poetry in "And Howls for us to Follow" enlightens us by literally shedding light on everything we as humans need to know to live a purposeful life and to transcend. All knowledge, all wisdom and all truth already exists for us to discover. That Kenny's poetry brings us into awareness of these virtues is what sets this poetry apart from the rest. That Kenny does so with selflessness, gentleness and love indicates that he is a true Nagual in the same vein as Carlos Castaneda, Dan Millman and Don Miguel Ruiz.

I would recommend this poetry collection to poetry lovers and "Beatnik" specialists, including Ginsberg enthusiasts ("And Howls" versus "Howl"). I would also exhort students of philosophy and political science to examine this book. There is plenty of logic and political truth here to cut your teeth on. Mostly, however, I would recommend this book to anyone on a spiritual path. It is truly a poetic textbook for seeing "things" and issues with a clearer eye.

And Howls for us to Follow" has challenged me to think about contemporary issues in a new way. It is provocative and shakes me from my sleep. Because this poetry is deeply heartfelt, it has been able to touch my heart. What is more important than to touch the heart of another person and awaken them anew?

Kenny Rose Butts is the author of "a book of poetry" that is truly so much more than what those words convey. Reading these poems provides liberation for the spirit, power for the mind and hope, the essential fuel for motivation. This is literature that one can enjoy reading time and again, each survey presenting more information than the last and uncovering useful knowledge that can be applied to one's own experience of life. I can easily suggest this book to friends, family and any person who enjoys good mind-expanding reading.

**** This is a book of poetry that has been broken down into sections. The author, Kenny Rose Butts, has written poems involving love, animals, politics, and even environmental issues.

I admit to finding myself lost and floundering in confusion in a few of them, but only because I did not know enough about the subject/topic in the poem. Others struck deep chords within me and found myself rereading them.

This is NOT the type of poetry book that you can sit down and read through for fun. Instead you will find yourself reading only a few poems each in several different sittings because the poems will force you to think and possibly see the topics in a different way. Deep subjects and good reading here. ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch.