gohawks's review against another edition
3.0
If I'm honest, I don't feel as if I have adequate tools with which to assess contemporary poetry. William Carlos Williams was as contemporary as I've gotten in school and the rules seem to change often. Nonetheless, I will endeavor to do my best here. Powers is very talented, having previously written a highly acclaimed novel which I greatly enjoyed. This is a small collection of his poetry written about his experiences, many of which have to do with the Iraq War. His most insightful, searing, and beautiful poems are the ones about his experiences with war. Somehow these are much more deeply felt than any of the other poems which are impressive in their own ways, but they feel as if they are being read from under glass with careful inspection and distance. Powers' war poems are much more naked and raw and real. Because he is so talented, I can only hope that he writes more and finds a way to connect as deeply as other subjects.
marginaliant's review against another edition
3.0
Best poems: After Leaving McGuire Veterans’ Hospital for the Last Time, Meditations on a Main Supply Route, Songs in Plank Time.
dougsasser's review against another edition
3.0
Kevin Powers is a veteran of the Iraq War. The title poem (among others in the book
0 reflect his poetic musing on the nature of modern warfare. He displays a soldier's paradoxical need to become emotionally detached while also being in touch with his feelings. These are masculine and imaginative poems.
0 reflect his poetic musing on the nature of modern warfare. He displays a soldier's paradoxical need to become emotionally detached while also being in touch with his feelings. These are masculine and imaginative poems.
mugren's review against another edition
2.0
Some of the poems in parts 1 and 2 are moving. The rest, however, lack any emotion.
avalonlovelee's review against another edition
4.0
I wanted to give this 5 stars. I really did. Because so many of the poems went above and beyond hitting the feels. But I'm only not because there were a few that weren't as memorable (at least, in my opinion).
I'm curious how other people felt while reading these. I have, obviously, in no way ever served in the military or been at war overseas. I can't even imagine the level of trauma that comes with that territory. The only battlefield I know of is the house I grew up in. I was diagnosed with PTSD from that hellish environment, and I cannot even compare it to what must be experienced while at war. Regardless, Kevin Powers' words just struck chords within me that are still vibrating.
And to the guy that wrote a review saying he has a man crush on Kevin Powers, I totally get it.
I'm curious how other people felt while reading these. I have, obviously, in no way ever served in the military or been at war overseas. I can't even imagine the level of trauma that comes with that territory. The only battlefield I know of is the house I grew up in. I was diagnosed with PTSD from that hellish environment, and I cannot even compare it to what must be experienced while at war. Regardless, Kevin Powers' words just struck chords within me that are still vibrating.
And to the guy that wrote a review saying he has a man crush on Kevin Powers, I totally get it.
amadeuschole's review against another edition
5.0
This collection of poetry was so beautiful, it made my heart ache.
icequeen13's review against another edition
4.0
Breathtaking. His silences create the space in your mind where your witness your own silence.
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