Incomplete Knowledge: Poems

by Jeffrey Harrison

This collection consists at its core of a sequence of poems that speak to the loss of the writer’s brother to suicide. These poems stun us by their restraint and simplicity, and by their astonishment that this life, so important to so many, could be extinguished in such a manner. Harrison’s poems are impeccably crafted and move through narrative seamlessly―dry, naive, vulnerable, always accessible.

Genres: Poetry

97 pages, Paperback

First published October 30, 2006

Reviews

[Michele Hush · Rating 4 out of 5]

After I posted a poem by Jeffrey Harrison on my blog, a Twitter acquaintance who's also a close friend of Harrison recommended this collection of poems, which is in many ways a collection of eulogies. It is beautiful and moving.

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harrison's poems effectively place the reader inside experiences. His straight-forward voice with an attention to detail enables us to sense and feel with the speaker of the poems. In the first half of the book, Harrison's wonderful sense of humor is prominent. The last half is more painful and grieving, dealing with the suicide death of his brother. Harrison is one of my favorite poets, and this is one of his best collections.

[Maxwell Panetta · Rating 5 out of 5]

the poems about his brother are so beautiful and raw

[Linda Kenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read poetry. I have my favorites but sometimes I prowl the poetry section and take a chance. Jeffrey Harrison was one of those chances that succeeded. When I read poems there are some I prefer, typically about nature. Other poems require reading multiple times to try and understand or work out. if I can't I feel defeated. Harrison's poems resonate with me especially the poems on his brother and coming to terms with his suicide. His imagery, structure coincides well with the poetry that I prefer to read. I could have sat and read the collection in one sitting.

[Megan Snyder-camp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved how the floor drops out at the break--beautiful poems of staggering loss after a brother's suicide. I keep thinking about how his narrative clarity underscores the emotional effect of this work--refuses all smaller handwork for the reader so that instead the reader is carried in farther, perhaps, than they would have chosen to wander had there been other smaller footholds to rest on. Lovely.

[Finbar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun book of poetry. Harrison employs wit and a wry perspective on the world to create pockets of the intellect to explore and examine. I found myself reading poem after poem out loud to my friends because they were so much fun. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.

[Jimmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Poetry is incomplete knowledge."--Jeffrey Harrison.

Two parts to this collection. Part I is totally entertaining. Part II is about his brother's suicide. An excellent collection of poetry.

[Sherri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feel like I have found a gem in this prose poet. Reading his poems made me feel like a secret was being shared with me and that felt like a privilege.

[bookinglibrarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommended by the AFSP, the second part of this collection of poems poignantly describes how the aftermath of the suicide of the author's brother.