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Useless Landscape, or A Guide for Boys

Poems

Graywolf Press

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ISBN10: 1555976050
ISBN13: 9781555976057

Hardcover

80 Pages

$22.00

CA$25.00

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In D. A. Powell's fifth book of poetry, the rollicking line he has made his signature becomes the taut, more discursive means to describing beauty, singing a dirge, directing an ironic smile, or questioning who in any given setting is the instructor and who is the pupil. This is a book that explores the darker side of divisions and developments, which shows how the interstitial spaces of boonies, backstage, bathhouse, or bar are locations of desire. With Powell's witty banter, emotional resolve, and powerful lyricism, this collection demonstrates his exhilarating range.

Reviews

Praise for Useless Landscape, or A Guide for Boys

"Today's poetry is packed with unpoetic stuff: dirty words and references to disposable pop culture. So, how do you tell great, lasting poetry from the ephemeral? For an answer, read the poems of D.A. Powell, whose masterful fifth book, Useless Landscape, or A Guide for Boys, digs deep into the tar pit of language. The poet tells us about ourselves in today's terms while excavating the history of words . . . Useless Landscape is sad and profound, but also wildly brave, often funny, and past a thrilling point of no return . . . Powell has written some of hell's music, and it's among the best you'll hear."—Craig Morgan Teicher, NPR