Kink in the Chain
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Author: Mark Berriman
Reviews:
“Kink in the Chain is a poetry collection so powerful and vivid—yet subtle in all the right places—that I read it straight through in one sitting. Berriman's sharp eye, sense of humor, and emotional honesty make this one of the best poetry collections I've read since Nickole Brown's Sister.”
—Laurie Lindeen, author of the memoir Petal Pusher
“While too much life passes without any acknowledgement of the exaltation that makes it worth slogging through, Kink in the Chain is a feast of blood, sex, and work—and imprisonment of all sorts—that makes mini-miracles out of minutia. Poetry this frank and funny ‘cuts you up,’ as Berriman puts it, and his in particular leaves lasting scars on the hung-over stubble of our souls.”
—Jim Walsh, columnist, songwriter, and author of The Replacements: All Over but the Shouting: An Oral History
“Every scar hides a story,” Mark Berriman tells us, and Kink in the Chain reveals his scars in their various beauties: of loves hard fought and won, of regret for battles not met, of the damage done by and to an unforgiving natural and political landscape. A poet both humble and bold, Berriman appeals to the reader by swagger and supplication. ‘Are you a handful?’ a lover asks in one poem; in this engaging collection, Berriman captures the complex brew of pride and penitence in answering, always, yes.”
—Kate Lynn Hibbard, author of Sweet Weight and Sleeping Upside Down
“Berriman writes without pretension or artifice. He calls 'em as he sees 'em, and his poetry, like a cleaver, doesn't just cut to the bone, it cuts right through it. This book traverses an array of subjects from trickle-down economics to sock folding, from Christ jamming Black Sabbath to Marcie going down on Peppermint Pattie. Berriman can be touching or raunchy, contemplative or pissed off, tender or violent. Read these poems and ‘taste his brain.’”
—Matt Rasmussen, author of Black Aperture, winner of the 2012 Walt Whitman Award.
About the Author: Mark Berriman is the publisher of the Stillwater Gazette. He has called the Twin Cities his home for the last fifteen years. He is an author, poet, artist, columnist, musician, and active community leader. He is married with four children. His work has appeared in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, The Minneapolis Star Tribune, and numerous regional and national periodicals. His artwork has been featured in galleries throughout the Twin Cities.
Reviews:
“Kink in the Chain is a poetry collection so powerful and vivid—yet subtle in all the right places—that I read it straight through in one sitting. Berriman's sharp eye, sense of humor, and emotional honesty make this one of the best poetry collections I've read since Nickole Brown's Sister.”
—Laurie Lindeen, author of the memoir Petal Pusher
“While too much life passes without any acknowledgement of the exaltation that makes it worth slogging through, Kink in the Chain is a feast of blood, sex, and work—and imprisonment of all sorts—that makes mini-miracles out of minutia. Poetry this frank and funny ‘cuts you up,’ as Berriman puts it, and his in particular leaves lasting scars on the hung-over stubble of our souls.”
—Jim Walsh, columnist, songwriter, and author of The Replacements: All Over but the Shouting: An Oral History
“Every scar hides a story,” Mark Berriman tells us, and Kink in the Chain reveals his scars in their various beauties: of loves hard fought and won, of regret for battles not met, of the damage done by and to an unforgiving natural and political landscape. A poet both humble and bold, Berriman appeals to the reader by swagger and supplication. ‘Are you a handful?’ a lover asks in one poem; in this engaging collection, Berriman captures the complex brew of pride and penitence in answering, always, yes.”
—Kate Lynn Hibbard, author of Sweet Weight and Sleeping Upside Down
“Berriman writes without pretension or artifice. He calls 'em as he sees 'em, and his poetry, like a cleaver, doesn't just cut to the bone, it cuts right through it. This book traverses an array of subjects from trickle-down economics to sock folding, from Christ jamming Black Sabbath to Marcie going down on Peppermint Pattie. Berriman can be touching or raunchy, contemplative or pissed off, tender or violent. Read these poems and ‘taste his brain.’”
—Matt Rasmussen, author of Black Aperture, winner of the 2012 Walt Whitman Award.
About the Author: Mark Berriman is the publisher of the Stillwater Gazette. He has called the Twin Cities his home for the last fifteen years. He is an author, poet, artist, columnist, musician, and active community leader. He is married with four children. His work has appeared in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, The Minneapolis Star Tribune, and numerous regional and national periodicals. His artwork has been featured in galleries throughout the Twin Cities.