R.B. O’Brien’s highly anticipated fifth collection of poetry comes with a fitting title, because there is nothing plastic or fake or synthetic about the art of being human. You’ll find no forced rhymes or antiquated strict forms here, just a simple beauty in the complex emotions of the unexpected--and sometimes expected--moments we live, one at a time and all at once. This collection reminds us that we are all “Leaves at Midnight,” on “Swallowtail Wings,” even “Across Snowfields,” best traveled “Bare and Naked,” and anything—ANYTHING—but mannequins covered in the clothes that won’t fit us.
From sensuality to love to romance to nature and death, O’Brien shows us our human spirit in verse, like looking into a mirror that sometimes makes us smile, and other times, makes us cry; that sometimes shines light on our best features, and other times, begs for the sun to salve the scars of our darkness; that sometimes makes us a child again, and other times, allows us to revel in the sensual intricacies of being an adult; and that never sometimes, but only always, shows us that truth lies in embracing every part of all of it: A world where poetry with soul exists.
From sensuality to love to romance to nature and death, O’Brien shows us our human spirit in verse, like looking into a mirror that sometimes makes us smile, and other times, makes us cry; that sometimes shines light on our best features, and other times, begs for the sun to salve the scars of our darkness; that sometimes makes us a child again, and other times, allows us to revel in the sensual intricacies of being an adult; and that never sometimes, but only always, shows us that truth lies in embracing every part of all of it: A world where poetry with soul exists.
Used availability for R B O'Brien's I'm Not a Mannequin