Chopping the American Dream

Steve O'Connor, Caterwaul from Below: selected poems 2005-2008
This chapbook collects a variety of O'Connor's poetry from the past few years and superimposes them over photographs by Doug Reilly. There are three general types of poems here: the ones on women, which tend to be happy memories of sexual encounters (or near misses); youth and the distance age gives us from it (with new perspectives on parties with bongs, strip pokers, friends, the strange paths life offers us and much more); and, finally, the state of modern life today- viewed here through a slightly caustic punk's eye.

Some of the poems explore what is quintessentially American in my view: baseball games with family and friends, conversations that last all night in diners or fields, fueled by joints or coffee, bike rides and walks through grid-like cities, college parties that are the same all over North America. Doug Reilly's photos show the bare landscape of America's dilapidated side: inner city buildings, telephone wires, spaces empty of people.

These poems are deceptively short and paired down. Some catch you straight away and some need to be revisited a few times before they sink in. One or two may not have enough punching power to knock you over, but if you are willing to stick with them, peeling each layer away like an artichoke, you'll find something in the end which I'm sure O'Connor will be more than glad to cook for you.

You can check out more of his poetry here and order a copy of the chapbook here.