In Cars

by Kimmy Beach

The 2007 Kimmy Beach model, in Cars, is a crowd-pleasing look at the lives of rural teenagers in western Canada, and includes a free-wheeling tour of love, cars, and roller rinks.As the speakers pound out instantly recognizable hits of the eighties, Beach looks under the hood of female desire. Wearing string-back driving gloves, hands at two and ten o'clock, she investigates our fascination with cars and the way they crash. Wearing her white Sure-Grip high-tops roller skates with Precision Bearing wheels, Beach blows smoke in the face of the poetry establishment.Standard features of in Cars include youthful lust and squealing tires, muscle cars and disco balls. Optional extras include style, smarts, and Fancy Ass jeans.in Cars showcases an unmistakeably original poetic voice. Kimmy Beach, the reigning poet of pop/mainstream culture, pops the clutch with this exploration of the nexus of libido, danger, and the darkness at the centre of attraction.

112 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2007

Reviews

[Nina]

As she did in fake Paul, Beach uses an overriding theme in this collection. in Cars is an exuberant celebration of adolescence. Rather than dwelling on stereotypical teenage angst, Beach gives us strong, independent, proud young women.
“I’m the best skater girl on the rink Friday nights
lots of other girls have more makeup
more expensive jeans
but nobody beats my moves”
(When I Skate)

The female narrator is openly sexual, often initiating encounters. There are no reticent victims of male lust in this book. The poem titles are filled with double entendres.
“I’m in the back before he’s got his seat belt off
throw my skates to the floor on the driver’s side
he slides across leather to the middle
and I straddle him work him with my thighs
(Slide into My New Ride)

The poems pay homage to muscle cars and roller skating, with classic rock music serving as a contextual backdrop.
“Bang a Gong” is the greatest rexing skate song ever”
(Your Mouth Sweet with Rain)

Sections are divided by lyrics from “Radar Love” by Golden Earring, one of the top driving songs of the 70s. The rhythm of that song reverberates throughout the poems. There were no cell phones or text messages then, so the concept of imagining your boyfriend/girlfriend and trying to connect with them by sending thoughts their way (radar love) grounds the poems in the time frame.
“Radar Love” rattles from my stereo
I know you’re listening to the same song
our new favourite for speed skate
you driving away from me”
(Saturday 1:25 AM)

Beach’s writing is vivid and powerful; the pictures she paints turn 3D and vibrate with life. Her female narrator is spot-on teenager, with her disdain for “rental boys” at the rink.
“I told the cop I’d maybe seen them around the rink
but I didn’t know them they were rentals I never skate
with rental boys”
(The Windshield Gashes)

I admit to being a sucker for poetry that uses classic rock. I can’t get enough of Beach’s writing.

[Debbie Hill]

Don't let this quick read fool you! Canadian poet Kimmy Beach turns the ignition on for a wild ride through adolescence. The result is a 'powerful' poetry book that not only reads like a novella but steers you into the fast lane of disco balls, fuzzy dice, roller rinks and deadly car crashes. She writes: "I'm driving the way you like it dangerous/revving to five thousand before I shift/you say you wish every girl/drove like me". Her characters and storyline are real. Her use of metaphors (cars, roller skates, and pop songs) keeps the poems thematically linked. Beautifully written! Brilliant like a polished chrome bumper!

[Holly D.]

I’ll never listen to Radar Love in the same way again.