Earworm

by Nick Thran

"Earworm," the second book from acclaimed poet Nick Thran, expertly combines wicked cleverness, adept craftsmanship and a uniquely insightful perspective in an entertaining yet substantial tour de force. Building on the success of his debut, Thran has enhanced his compelling pop culture rhythms and distinctive voice with bolder formal experimentation and greater poetic maturity.
This eclectic collection takes in topics ranging from cartoons to Caravaggio to cicadas, expressed in a comparable variety of poetic forms. Despite this diversity, the book is unified by its perfectly balanced blend of thoughtful observation laced with Thran's characteristically whimsical sense of humour.
"Earworm" is also interspersed with several poems inspired by works of art in a variety of media. Whether he's reinterpreting Picasso's Blue Period, encapsulating a moment from "The True Adventures of the Rolling Stones," or lending a narrative to one of Dennis Oppenheim's conceptual sculptures, Thran is able to distill the essence of the original while adding a fresh twist.

Genres: Poetry

72 pages, Paperback

First published March 30, 2011

Reviews

[Alexis]

A lovely little book of poems. I don't have much else to say than that.

[Adam Sol]

Devoured this. It contains, among other little gems, the best poem ever written about Barry Bonds.