Hi Susan – Thanks for the kind words and the wisdom. You’re right, I don’t think we should get too hung up on perfectionism. I guess I aspire to be somewhere between the fanatic devotees of craft on the one side and the neo-Beats on the other, who can get dismissive of anything that seems too polished. I should probably care a bit more about how my poems look on the page, but I’m wary of fetishizing that — anytime I get too far away from sound and rhythm, my muse deserts me.

Thanks, John. It was a great review, but I still like your response better! Because I don’t tend to think of other poets as my primary audience, even if that may be the reality at this point, and it can be a little disconcerting when people react more to the style than the subject matter.

Thanks, Clive. I am as always honored by your high opinion of my work.

I’m happy for you that the book has garnered this attention. Much deserved my friend. More should do the same. Odes to Tools has given me much pleasure, and continues to do so.

Thanks, Nic. I feel especially lucky because, as you know, it’s rare for a poetry chapbook to get any reviews, let alone one this sensitive.

I think you did, but thanks again!