Burnt Offerings

by Timothy Liu

second volume of poems by Liu

Genres: Poetry, Gay, LGBT, Queer

84 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1995

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timothy Liu was the first person to introduce me to poetry. Not to the fact that poems exist, but to the idea of poetry as something deeply personal, a window to the soul, etc. He came in as a "visiting poet" to teach my 2nd-grade class (he must have been insanely young at the time?), and he gave each one of us a line to work with, telling us to write our own poems - I remember writing something I thought was hilarious, giggling hysterically as I read it out loud to the class. And then at the end of it all he told us that all the lines together made up a poem he had written about his father. I was like, you mean you can write a poem about your father? My mind was blown.

So yes, this book feels like windows to the soul. And as such it's hard to review it (in fact I don't think I've ever tried to review a book of poetry). Every poem shines a different light - strange, sensitive, raw, funny, wounded. Some of them have stayed with me, even months after reading. Weirdly, the poem I loved most - "Thoreau" - is a poem about his father.

[Joseph Dante · Rating 3 out of 5]

Less esoteric and more earthy than Vox Angelica. The short poems about literary influences, places, sex, and body insecurities were my favorite (see: "Thoreau," "Rest Stop, Highway 91," and "The Marriage"). The longer poems about relationships aren't nearly as interesting as everything else, unfortunately.

[Rudolph · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful collection of poems from acclaimed poet, Timothy Liu. Focusing on sexuality, love, and his early childhood. Each poem seems to be steeped in eros, regardless of the subject matter, just showing how Liu has such a mastery over his style.

[Craig · Rating 2 out of 5]

Possible order for use:

MEN WITHOUT
POEM
SHE SMASHES DISHES
THE SIZE OF IT
READING WHITMAN IN A TOILET STALL
THOREAU