After the 8-Ball

by Colleen Alles

Reply hazy, try again. All the poems in After the 8-Ball want answers, and so have thrown themselves at the mercy of a black plastic 8-ball filled with dark blue alcohol and a tiny twenty-sided die. Love, loss, and Lake Michigan feature prominently in this debut collection from Colleen Alles who examines everyday life in the Midwest with precision and depth. From the hound asleep in the sun to the pebbles lined up in the sill of a window facing west, these poems stand ready to accept whatever the 8-ball has in store, hoping, always, for, As I see it, Yes.

This book is part of the University of Wisconsin, Steven's Point Portage Poetry Series.

Genres: Poetry

115 pages, Paperback

Published March 16, 2022

About the author

Michigander, librarian, wannabe writer.

Reviews

[Colleen Alles · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I don't give it 5 stars, who will? :)

[Rachel Adrianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colleen's poetry uses simple language to communicate extraordinarily innovative emotions or moments in time that many readers can relate to.

Her poems vary in length and at times, the title also serves as the first line of the poem, showing such seamless versatility in writing.

This book is segmented into sections that are titled after phrases used by a Magic 8 Ball, so keeping in mind which section a poem is in adds a layer of complexity and humor.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and brave, in this collection Alles examines her world - motherhood, home, marriage - with the careful attention of being in the moment and finding intention and purpose. And, organized against the response of a magic 8 ball, these poems are held up and re-examined with a kind of self-reflection and honesty that reminds us all to keep looking for more truths in our own lives. As I see it, yes.