Reviews

I've heard many things about Richard Siken and I'm happy that I got to read him, even if it's not really my type of poetry.

*Sigh*
Maybe if I was a gay young man in the 19th century studying classic literature and latin at a boarding school and being in love with my roommate...

One thing worth knowing about me is that I am not a big fan of poetry about love (and other themes, but this one is explored in Siken's lyrics). Also, I don't enjoy free verse as much as rhyme, even if I read pretty much poetry written in free verse. I've seen writers doing it better than Siken to be honest, but he still has some good poems. I recommend reading them aloud because they are full of feelings and they'll make you more sentimental.

Saying Your Names and were some of my favorites.

Imagine this:
You're driving.
The sky's bright. You look great.
In a word, in a phrase, it's a movie,
you're the star.
so smile for the camera, it's your big scene,
you know your lines.
I'm the director. I'm in a helicopter.
I have a megaphone and you play along,
because you want to die for love,
you always have.
Imagine this:
You're pulling the car over. Somebody's waiting.
You're going to die
in your best friend's arms.
And you play along because it's funny, because it's written down,
you've memorized it,
it's all you know.
I say the phrases that keep it all going,
and everybody plays along.
Imagine:
Someone's pulling a gun, and you're jumping into the middle of it.
You didn't think you'd feel this way.
There's a gun in your hand.
It feels hot. It feels oily.
I'm the director
and i'm screaming at you,
I'm waving my arms in the sky,
and everyone's watching, everyone's
curious, everyone's
holding their breath.

— PLANET OF LOVE