“This is the nature of reverie, of demanding reason and coherence from an absurd world.”

Teets’s collection of works–dozens in this book–is a tableau of raw servings and sharp knives. Those seeking beautiful life-positive affirmations need not shop here. Instead, there is an itinerant grittiness to poem after poem which reveals speakers tormented by false theologies, swindling opportunistic politics, and the violent despair much of the world has fallen to.

This is not to say that the book has no beautiful verse or discoveries of pleasure; but few of these are without qualification or compromise, lost opportunities in the past or cautionary idealizing. One steps into this poetry and finds apprehension, ironic sneers, and a love of traditional blues. We also find a sometimes assaultive, sometimes nuanced, layering of politics, mythology, and spirituality. It’s beat poetry made anew.

A couple of samples to demonstrate:

“Rancorous song sang loose and loud
homeless heretics pose as sacred saints

Quarters dropped into stone Wurlitzers
rogue relics and fairy tale yarns

Wait for Magi fear almighty Ra
unholy tales from unholy scribes”

Some poems are this, collages of images which emote temperament and dream as much as nostalgia. Others offer scenes of isolation and despair:

“through the cloud covered photo
curled atop a wooden chest alone
She gazes unwillingly, posies in Her hair
Her eyes ask Mine for forgiveness and faith
I have neither to share, no penance to pray

My innocence has long since become indolence

I am a grotesque deaf rabbit”

Not every poem falls evenly, not every line a crafted treasure for a refrigerator magnet. But this is the nature of reverie, of demanding reason and coherence from an absurd world, but in verse. What is true across the book, however, is poetic storytelling, a struggle genuine.

“I have forgiven my past transgressions and thus have
forgiven you,
it’s too simple to blame the son’s sins
on the father’s faults.
Stand tall like a colossus, curse the falling stars,
if not for you, then for me, your long-lost autumn child.”