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Apples & Crows
Alan Basting’s Apples & Crows offers a delightful display of metaphysical conceit which is present within the title itself. Whether he’s conflating fishing with sleep or harbors haunted by both the dead and the living, Basting’s verse guides readers on past whiskey-drunk donkeys and shamans sharing church pews with grizzlies. Probing human curiosity beyond the five senses, Apples & Crows offers heavily lineated poems that skillfully create tension around the corner of each line, each stanza. This is a fun collection that only offers more secrets upon the reread.
—Jeremy Jusek, poet laureate of Parma (2022-2023) and author of We Grow Tomatoes in Tiny Towns
Alan Basting is in love with the world, in all its manifestations—not only its sweet apples
and human intimacies, but also its crows and longings and the surrealism of dreams. And
as evidenced in this lyrically brilliant collection of (need we say) love poems, the world
obviously loves him in return, for even in moments of uncertainty and heartache, the
author finds himself “happy enough.” The reader even more so. Every poem in Apples &
Crows —like the snow in “The World Announces Affection in December’s Snow and
Fog”—“attains love’s earthly shape / Through touch, consecration, embrace.”
—Phillip Sterling, author of the poetry collections And Then Snow, Short on Days, and
Mutual Shores, among others
—Jeremy Jusek, poet laureate of Parma (2022-2023) and author of We Grow Tomatoes in Tiny Towns
Alan Basting is in love with the world, in all its manifestations—not only its sweet apples
and human intimacies, but also its crows and longings and the surrealism of dreams. And
as evidenced in this lyrically brilliant collection of (need we say) love poems, the world
obviously loves him in return, for even in moments of uncertainty and heartache, the
author finds himself “happy enough.” The reader even more so. Every poem in Apples &
Crows —like the snow in “The World Announces Affection in December’s Snow and
Fog”—“attains love’s earthly shape / Through touch, consecration, embrace.”
—Phillip Sterling, author of the poetry collections And Then Snow, Short on Days, and
Mutual Shores, among others
64 pages, Paperback
Published May 18, 2023
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
December 19, 2023
I purchased a signed copy of this book at Plot Bound Books in Gaylord, MI.
This is the best poetry book I have read to date. I was incredibly moved. The author, Basting, has a gut wrenching way with words. A lot of poetry now a days is not true poetry. This book was truly poetic, heartfelt, and thoughtful. “Dumped by a Muse,” “Find the Needle,” and “My Dreams” were a few of my favorite poems. The imagery is fantastic. I felt as if I was watching a movie in my head with each poem. This was a lovely read, and I cannot wait to read more Alan Basting books. I highly recommend this read!
This is the best poetry book I have read to date. I was incredibly moved. The author, Basting, has a gut wrenching way with words. A lot of poetry now a days is not true poetry. This book was truly poetic, heartfelt, and thoughtful. “Dumped by a Muse,” “Find the Needle,” and “My Dreams” were a few of my favorite poems. The imagery is fantastic. I felt as if I was watching a movie in my head with each poem. This was a lovely read, and I cannot wait to read more Alan Basting books. I highly recommend this read!
Displaying 1 of 1 review