Fast Animal

I like contemporary poetry that is honest--like "two guys sitting in a coffee shop shooting the breeze about their lives with nothing else to do" honest. No holds barred. No topics taboo. No one out to be offended; just guys talking. That's what I found here. Tim Seibles has led an interesting life. It is wonderful that he's a poet and knows not to let a single, seemingly insignificant or maybe even embarrassing detail of that life slip away. "Delores Jepps" is a good example. It's a reflection of a teenaged crush, which is common enough. But the way he writes about it is so honest, so open, so absent of pretentious or the million-and-one cliched formulas that hover around the topic like gnats, that I totally believe him. Better yet, I'm grateful to him for pointing to a door to my own, similar experiences when I was that age. No wonder this book was a finalist for the National Book Award. I may not be able to give it any rewards, but I'll be happy to pay for that coffee.

Tim Seibles' words are sexy, smooth, funny and moving. Some of his gorgeous phrases from past books have stuck with me for years. This is poetry for people who don't think they like poetry - it's more like jazz with words rather than musical notes. Beautiful stuff.

Love it. Rereading often.

Tim is an important voice in our culture and an insightful poet.

Tim Seibles is an outstanding poet, educator, and humanitarian. I highly recommend all his books.

Tim Seibles is one of those unique, amazing poetic voices that resonates with you long after you've seen his work. This is a terrific book!

Thoughtful and challenging. I know how difficult it is to write non-rhyming poetry. Also enjoyed talking to him. Straight forward and no BS.

tim seible's book is wonderfully relevant. anyone could enjoy it. in many ways it's about being a man, which is fascinating to women, too.