Easy Does It: Poems

by Jennifer Moore

In Easy Does It, Jennifer Moore's second full-length collection, the speaker brings the reader on an exploration of multiple worlds: the social, the domestic, and the pastoral, considering the difficult questions and problems of the self--of memory, history, grief, and desire. The poems move from buzzing, bewildering environments where "hide and seek becomes Save yourself" and "nothing ever / does it easy" in pursuit of clarity, beauty, and stillness. With colloquial humor and curiosity, the speaker investigates her subjects in tones that range from the wry to the resigned to the powerful. Through linguistic echo and metaphorical transformation, the familiar is made strange and the strange feels like home.

Genres: Poetry

90 pages, Paperback

Published March 21, 2021

About the author

Jennifer Moore was born and raised in Seattle. She is the author of Easy Does It (U of Akron Press, 2021), The Veronica Maneuver (U of Akron Press, 2015) and a chapbook, Smaller Ghosts (Seven Kitchens Press, 2020). Her poems have appeared in Crazyhorse, DIAGRAM, Best New Poets, The Cincinnati Review, and elsewhere. An associate professor of creative writing at Ohio Northern University, she lives in Bowling Green, Ohio.

Reviews

[Kasy Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of poetry is a beautiful exploration of the self and others—memories, grief, questions, and human desire. The poems made me pause and think about the deeper message. The poems have worlds that are examined and made new again in Moore’s writing. The images are powerful and I circled several to reread in the future. It’s a breathtaking collection!

Favorite lines: “It’s never the stars / we find in the sky. Instead it’s the red-eyed bird, / a flame recreating its own flowers.” - “Summer, Later” (p. 33)

[Ace Boggess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is captivating. The poems have the right mix of accessibility and obscurity to delight the reader in every possible way. Favorite collection of the year so far. (8/27/21)

[Caroline Liberatore-Logan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A publication from my alma mater. I’ve loved every collection from the UA Press and this is no exception. The imagery in this stunned me!

Lines like “take the honey, leave the tea” made me realize I need to start writing down my favorite lines of poetry.

[Jennifer Pullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book, an articulate study of beauty, isolation, and the constant project of the self. The poems at once image driven, lyrical, and psychological intimate meditations from the speaker of each poem.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely breathtaking and wondrous. I had to reread some of the poems immediately because I didn’t feel as though I’d appreciated them enough the first time. The imagery was truly enchanting and emotional. I had to take moments to just pause and reflect 🥺❤️ I am in awe. I can’t wait to spend more time rereading ✨

My favorite line: “Will you fill my piano with water, as I dreamed you would?”

I will be thinking about it constantly 💕

[Matt McBride · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moore builds such amazing silences from the domestic, linguistic, interior and exterior places she depicts.