Extremely Lightweight Guns: Poems

by Nikki Moustaki

In this bold debut collection, Nikki Moustaki explores femininity in contexts that grapple with violence, mental illness, loss, love, and relationships. She investigates these themes through a variety of provocative narratives, settings, and from a prose poem about a gun shop owner ranting about the Second Amendment, to more intimate lyrical poems, to the intense stamina of three long poems that anchor the book in three striking and imaginative settings—the disintegration of an abusive relationship in a backdrop of often-surreally connected narratives; diary-like entries featuring three generations of superstitious women living without men in a strange world of their own creation; and a dressmaker trying to make sense of his changing world while dealing with his ill wife. This nuanced work is intense and articulate, crafted largely by shattering traditional poetic elements, creating new forms, and driving language that never surrenders.

Genres: Poetry

72 pages, Paperback

Published April 20, 2021

About the author

Nikki Moustaki is the author of The Bird Market of Paris: A Memoir, as well as twenty-five books on the care and training of exotic birds. She holds an MA in creative writing, poetry, from New York University, an MFA in creative writing, poetry, from Indiana University, and an MFA in creative writing, fiction, from New York University. She has received a National Endowment for the Arts grant in poetry, as well as many other national writing awards. She splits her time between New York City and Miami Beach.

Reviews

[READER VIEWS · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always been a fan of going against the grain, especially when it comes to writing. My mother used to tell me that the word “abnormal” was used by negative people, because “unique” is the word that should be used for those who have the courage to go outside the “norm” in all aspects of life. Using Mom’s guidelines, I have to tell you that in the world of poetry, this debut collection by Nikki Moustaki is one of the most unique I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading.

Are the subjects she faces odd? Not at all. In fact, she focuses on very well-known issues, such as the “feminine” encompassing every emotion from grief to violence to absolute love. She also offers a fantastic piece that spotlights the controversial Second Amendment…just not the way others have done so in the past. When it comes to this reference, I was hooked. Told from the (rare) point of view of a shop owner who sells and loves guns, and the “sexy Bill of Rights” that grants people this desired right, the lines created were absolutely memorable. Excerpts that should be etched in stone include: “I’m a hammer-cocker, trigger-friendly, barrel-ready, slide that slide and make the sight sure;” “I got a modern Howitzer out back, you can rock that cradle for a couple bucks;” “I’ve got steel between my teeth. My dentist loves me. The neighbors hate me.” There’s so much more to partake of in this work, as well as all the rest, that I suggest you read the entire collection from cover to cover.

Amid the aforementioned works, and lyrical pieces, the author brought the collection together by placing three lengthy poems within the book that give the avid reader another reason to keep reading—each story from the trio is that riveting. Each one offers a new “scene” that includes, the turmoil and pain of an abusive couple and the ending of a harsh relationship. One focuses on journal entries written by three generations of ladies who share a serious belief in chance or magic, and how that belief affects them while they live in a world they create themselves that’s completely absent of males. The last of the trio places a dressmaker at the center of attention—he’s having to deal with his ailing wife and his daily life being turned upside-down with the trials he’s going through.

Lastly, a shout out goes to “Here’s a Pill,” where you’ll meet a crazy, midnight bird who soon becomes one character you will never forget. I have to praise this author for not only her grand style and her ability to hook the reader no matter what her subject may be, but I also say “Hooray!” for the fact that at every turn she went outside the “norm” by choosing to break down the walls around what a poem should be. She chose to challenge us to see the genre in a whole new way. I thought it was incredible that I could feel the author’s own excitement and fascination with poetry through the experiments she did – and succeeded at – to submit a new variety of outlooks and fresh voices.
It came as no surprise to learn that Nikki Moustaki received a National Endowment for the Arts grant in poetry, and I will soon be getting on the internet to track down a guide she wrote called, “The Bird Market of Paris: A Memoir and The Idiot’s Guide to Writing Poetry.” I want to read what she has to say about her craft so I can learn how she went against the grain and brought originality to a whole new level. 5-Stars!

[Clay Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A super collection that is both powerful and beautiful. Highly recommend.

[Gabrielle Geddes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why is this woman so obsessed with birds?

[Amanda González]

I wish I was a poetry person…