Temporary Help: Poems

by John Engman

A posthumously published collection of work by an entirely original Midwestern poet.

Genres: Poetry

96 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1998

Reviews

[Joh Ziegler]

I think it’s impossible for me to love a book of poems any more than I love this one. Midwest melancholy, with that perfect teaspoon of funny hope.

[Michael Forsyth]

"I wanted to be a rain salesman..."

Mary Karr's 'Elegy for a Rain Salesman' introduced me to Engman years ago and I only wish I'd gotten around to this book earlier.
Deeply human, hilarious, and profound. I'm already excited for the next time I read it.
"At last, John Engman may be the healthiest, funniest, most consoling human being you will ever find between the lines of poems."

[Abbi Dion]

there is a chance of rain on minnehaha avenue
that's how a poem should start

[Elizabeth]

I generally give poetry books a rating of three stars or below, as I find most to be an incredibly uneven mix. But this guy had me grinning like a fool through most of the pages.

[Siobhan]

Received it as a gift. Much appreciated. Sad, but stirring.