I Will Catch You
Poetry
Book Review: Coronavirus Haiku by James Weir
The coronavirus pandemic. A time of social distancing. Isolation at home. Ever-climbing numbers of sick and dead. Economic collapse. Job losses. Protests. Incompetent government responses. Uncertainty. Toilet paper shortages. How can we possibly cope with all this bad news?
Why, make fun of it of course!
And what better way to make fun of a world-wide catastrophe than to do it using haiku. Remember haiku? The bane of your public-school English class – a three-line poem of five syllables, then seven syllables, then five syllables. It’s perfect for these times.
Take a break and read this collection of over one hundred verses designed to make you laugh, make you groan, and sometimes even say WTF?
Remember, this collection uses profanity, and revels in it’s use of immature themes. It may not be the best choice for the kids to read, but your dirty grandma will love it.
My Review
I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy from the author. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.
I haven’t read a lot of haiku because it usually seems forced. James Weir’s Coronavirus Haiku doesn’t feel that way to me. It’s contemporary, often political, and frequently humorous.
A couple of examples:
Sickly coughing bat
Gets revenge at the market
Pandemic panic
Quarantine fifteen
“Did you put on some weight honey?”
Sleeping in the car
If you’re looking for something to lighten your mood in these crazy times, Coronavirus Haiku will do exactly that.
About the Author
When he’s not busy being a poet (and we use the term poet very loosely here), James Weir is a small animal veterinarian. In addition to clinical practice, he holds graduate degrees in pathology and in public health. He has also worked as a stand-up comedian. He has been published before, but mostly boring science crap. He has four works of funny haikus listed on Amazon, and is currently writing a book of funny stories from his 30 years in veterinary practice.
At the Founty Cair
I Walked a Mile…
When It rains…
Love the last two things. I’m going to have another grandbaby!!
I’m not gone
And I haven’t forgotten
But life has a tendency
To get in the way.
So far in 2020:
Coronavirus
Black Lives Matter
Boss died from cancer
Buying a house
Wife’s pregnant
Who knew being 30
Would feel like carrying the world.
For the World’s Record
The Drought’s End
A storm comes
And the children wake
To the sounds
Of rain on tin
And thunder.
They run to a porch,
And watch the whirlwind
Whip endless waves of water
Onto fields and creek beds.
Their faces shine white
With each thunderous bolt
And their fear is only outweighed
By their awe.
They run to their father,
Soundless in bed,
A full ash tray and empty bottle
Adorn a dated night stand.
The thunder shakes the house
The children shake their father.
Sheets are quickly withdrawn,
And a new downpour starts.
Papers with stamps,
“Invoice” and “Past due”,
Are flung through the air
Sticking with crimson glue.
The ruffle and rumble cease,
And peace falls over the land.
A desperate sort of peace,
Which torments tiny hearts.
A man who couldn’t provide,
Provides a source of pain
And an endless downpour
Of needful innocent tears.
They both will grow,
The…
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The End
Book Review: Of Welter and Whim by Mike Mac
“Of Welter and Whim” is a book of poetry and prose made up of two sections – “The Welter” (turmoil) and “The Whim” (humor). It is a storied, emotive read laced with profundities while substantiating an unflinching call for reason. Cover and interior design by Mitch Green.
My Review
I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy from the author. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.
I have come to appreciate poetry more and more over the years. This group of poems from Mike Mac are separated in two sections: serious and humorous. I liked all of the poems but I particularly enjoyed the humorous ones.
The first humorous poem was:
I let you walk all over me
But next time
I’m going to be a Lego
That made me laugh. After reading all of the serious poems, this was the perfect one to change the pace.
I read through these poems in one sitting. I’ll save them and read them again. I’ve learned that the more I read poems, the more I get out of them. This is a good collection that I happily recommend.
About the Author
Mike Mac is a character artist and poet from upstate New York. He is 37 years old, non-religious, and fairly decent at pool.
Part of Me
So deep, so sad.
Part of me needs
To be understood,
Part of me needs
To be truly loved,
Part of me thinks
Those are incompatible,
Part of a reason
I will never be whole.
