Artificial Cherry

by Billeh Nickerson

Billeh Nickerson is one of Canada's showiest poets; his work is colorful, witty, and wise, with undertones of sexy. Alternating between outlandish and poignant, Artificial Cherry heralds the return of Billeh's cheeky/sweet sensibilities. From Elvis Presley and glass eyes to phantom lovers and hockey haiku, you're never quite sure where Billeh will take you, but the outcomes are always worth the ride.

Billeh Nickerson is the author of three previous poetry collections, including The Titanic Poems , and co-editor of The Anthology of Canada's Gay Male Poets . He teaches creative writing at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in British Columbia.

Genres: Poetry, Canada, Queer

96 pages, Paperback

First published April 8, 2014

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

This collection has an intended audience, and I didn't fit into it. However, there were a few poems that did speak to me - less raunchy and hook-uppy - about places, memories, and loved ones: Crushes, Dogs and Dancing Shoes, Apartment Hunting in Toronto, and Life and Limb.

[rndgmoat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm still relatively new to poetry, so I can't say I rate this with any confidence. But I really enjoyed these funny and often moving poems. "The Ghost of Blowjobs Past," for example, sure sounds like a dumb joke. But it somehow turns into a really moving reading experience by the end. A fun collection.

[Olivia Benedict · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, good color, little hard-hitting-ness personally

[willowdog · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poems and brief observations on life and places that are funny and fresh.