Overview

""These are the kind of tattered, beautiful poems I often search for and rarely find-the ones that explain, 'Just be happy with a beer after work. You know, quit all the complaining. It won't change a single thing. It just prolongs the suffering.' "" -Sean Thomas Dougherty, author of Death Prefers the Minor Keys ""Stocks's writing has a powerful immediacy, and his poems are packed with both profanity and pop-culture references . . ."" -Kirkus Reviews ""This collection is brave, unflinching and hits you like a punch in the jaw. It is at times brutal and vicious but also tender and intelligent. I was reminded of early Eminem in the poignant anger of some of the poems."" -Sam Szanto, author of If No One Speaks Jason Stocks is a writer and teacher living in south Florida. Before becoming a teacher, he worked in a chicken house, washed dishes, bagged groceries, waited tables, and sold cars. His first full-length poetry collection--Blameforest--was published in 2021 and was recently named a finalist in the 2024 American Legacy Book Awards for contemporary poetry. When not writing, he enjoys reading vintage YA horror, riding his Haro cruiser, and spending time with the family.

Full Product Details

9781962987103

Table of Contents

Reviews

"""Diversity coupled with an unmissable voice make a potent brew of this forty-two poem collection. There are rambling family stories (""Lucia, in the Kitchen""), tales of wrestling with a fruit fly on a busy street (""The City Writhes""), and dreamlike reflections on life and the world (""Brighter Day""). This latter poem includes the memorable lines: ""May god(S) bless us./I'm not trying to make a statement/men were made to hurt."" Raw, undeniable lines like this are peppered throughout, coming from somewhere deep within the poetic voice. Jogging from detritus-ridden, Bukowski-inspired free verses to Lowell-style observations of the inner life, this hardtack collection of poetry runs the gamut. A rugged, sinuous voice drives the free verse narratives contained in Laughing Is Forever. These mercurial poems surprise, thrill, and move in equal measure. They're dying to be read."" -Independent Book Review"

Author Information

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available