American Happiness: New Poems

by Jacqueline Allen Trimble

American Happiness is an eclectic collection of verse from a bold poet of everyday life, Jacqueline Allen Trimble. Ironically titled, the work addresses everything from the death of parents to racial tension to the encroachment of coyotes into urban spaces.

The title is taken from a poem in the book which considers the kinder, gentler exploits of Sheriff Andy and Deputy Barney during a time when Southern law enforcement was neither universally kind or gentle. Says Trimble, “Barney had one bullet/and no need for a rope./The only burning he did was for his Thelma Lou.”

On her poetic journey, which takes us from the personal to the political, Trimble probes our racial divide. She is by turns compassionate and fierce, cutting at our hypocrisy with the knife of her words and willing us toward our better common humanity.

Genres: Poetry

82 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 27, 2016

Reviews

[Dree · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this volume of poetry, which is not something I say often! Trimble addresses sexism, racism, love, life, recent events. When she addresses certain events, I could tell what she was referring to even though she does not provide long-winded explanations (because poetry!). My favorite is "Did Jean Paul Sartre Ever Ask Simone Beauvoir to go to the Winn-Dixie" and the entire "American Happiness" section.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this collection of poems! Especially now. I think like this. I felt every word about being a woman and having to juggle so many things and still comply to my spouses needs over mind. Being a woman. What about our needs and how our spouses have no clue in what we deal with daily?

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Powerful.

[bibliophagy · Rating 5 out of 5]

see this author perform her poetry live if you ever get the opportunity, and read and re-read her work. i had to take this collection slow to soak them all up.