Centaur

by Greg Wrenn

Greg Wrenn's debut collection opens with a long poem in which a man undergoes surgery to become a centaur. Other poems speak in voices as varied as those of Robert Mapplethorpe, Hercules, and a Wise Man at the birth of Jesus. Centaur skitters along the blurred lines between compulsivity and following one's heart, stasis and self-realization, human and animal. Here, suffering and transcendence are restlessly conjoined.

Genres: Poetry, Mythology

92 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Maria Hummel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic and unsettling poems, especially the title sequence and "Virus." I'm mesmerized by Wrenn's diction, which, like the central figure, is also often grafted--unexpected words joined in fruitful ways.

[Jennifer Rockwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Centaur' is a ferocious, haunting collection. The title, indicating as it does, a creature half-man, half-beast, torn between two opposing natures, acts not only for the lengthy opening poem, but as a perfect metaphor for the whole of the work. Suffering and sensuality, dizzyingly tender, disturbing and violent, all the crazy paradoxes of our humanity may be found here. Quite impressive.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

These gorgeous, wild poems were a total pleasure to read. Greg Wrenn writes beautifully. There're lots of delicious surprises in these poems, plus truly compelling depth and emotion.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

so dope

[willowdog · Rating 3 out of 5]

Modern, imaginative, forward and well-executed images executed in narrators that vary from a centaur and Hercules to Mapplethorpe and e-converstaions. Wanted more upfront gay content (It's there; effective when present.) Poetry that you work at; not transparent (in a good sense.)