Two years before he published
How To Replace a Whammy Gasket on a Yoddle-Klopper And Other Poems
, the poet Benjamin F. Bird put this book together,
Blast-Off!!! R U A Honey-Cruncher Kid?! And Other Poems
. This book gathers some of the best poems he's ever written, including the hilarious "Sweet Potatoes" and the thoughtful "Saguaro". Some of these poems are thought-provoking, some are laugh-inducing, some are wacky, and some might make you cry.
The book showcases a variety of forms. While some of the poems are sonnets, following a strict rhyme scheme, many of them are free-form, spoken word pieces. One of the poems based on a real childhood memory, "The Improper Disposal of Chewed Gum", would probably be classified as a prose poem.
Many of the poems deal with the healing power of nature, God, and life in a modern American suburb.
The shortest poem in the book is called "To Those Who Bury Their Talents" and it's quoted in its entirety here:
To Those Who Bury Their Talents
There is a song inside you.
Sing it,
or else you're nothing more
than a nightingale without a throat,
an oyster sealed shut,
just another pig
withholding its bacon.
This book will appeal to a wide variety of people. It may especially appeal to people who think that they don't like poetry, because it's so refreshing, original and accessible. And even though the book cover may make it look like a kids' book, it's not primarily a kids' book, though kids will enjoy many of the poems contained in the book, such as "Jerome the Gnome Bludgeons a Pretty Kitty" and "We Go To Our Car" and "Don't Fear the Thunder." Christians will enjoy the long poem about the Bible called "A Reading Recommendation." People who have wandered spiritually will appreciate the contemplative poems dealing with religion and God.
This book would be a great gift for anyone who wants to try something new or anyone who is interested in poetry.