A Necessary Explosion: Collected Poems

by Dan Burns

A Necessary Explosion is an act Dan Burns performs daily to expel the stories pressing on his mind. Only by getting words down onto the page can he make room for all that comes next. Exploring the themes of life, love, family, writing, music, travel, history, and humanity’s future, this collection artfully conveys the words of a craftsman in relatable, accessible poems.

In “Afterimage,” a man struggles with his diminishing memory but takes comfort in knowing that he can always recall the image of the only woman he ever loved.

“Worlds Traveler” stands as a dedication to, and remembrance of, Ray Bradbury and his influence on the author.

“A Necessary Explosion” explores the cranial pressure that builds as a result of life’s experiences and the need for humans to release that pressure to survive.

Each of the seventy-five poems in this collection offers a glimpse into the mind of a hopeful poet and storyteller. They will make you consider your place in the world and leave you contemplating the magic of poetry.

Cover art and illustrations by the incomparable Daniele Serra (Stephen King, Clive Barker).

Genres: Poetry

178 pages, Paperback

Published June 25, 2021

About the author

Dan Burns is the author of seven books, including the novels A Fine Line and Recalled to Life, and the short story collections Grace: Stories and a Novella and No Turning Back: Stories. He is also an award-winning writer of stories for the screen and stage. A Necessary Explosion: Collected Poems is his first poetry collection, fifteen years in the making.

Reviews

[Lydia Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not a big lover of poetry, but this book changed my mind. I felt happiness and sadness. Dan Burns your powerful poems made me weep and laugh. I put such thought in each poem. Each one speaking to me differently. A book full of feeling. I will keep this book by my nightstand to reread. A must read. Waiting for your next book. Thanks.

[Lourdes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love the cover, and it's so mystifying, but also just like his poetry writing. I love all types of poetry, and this I really enjoyed. My first time reading from this Author.

I won this book from Goodreads.

[Jami Moss · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the copy sent to me from a good reads contest!
First thing I noticed with the book was the beautiful cover and I really enjoyed the drawings through the book as well. I would say the first third of the book I really seemed to connect with the poems however that became less as I went into the book. They are all very well written but I just couldn’t seem to get the same feeling as the beginning.

[Isabell Olivo]

I just got Necessary Explosion Collection
I have enjoyed the first couple of poems they have something in them that i have been through at one point or another can not wait to read the rest

[Alaethia Delich · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 rating (if I could) simply because most of the poems in this book are free-verse and other such styles, and as a reader of the professional, ancient poets, I find it hard to instinctively appreciate poetry that lacks rhyme and meter. This does not, however, say anything against Dan Burns' own excellence in writing free-verse poetry.

A lovely volume of the author's collected poetical works "A Necessary Explosion" has, with its beauty of expression and depth of thought, risen to the top ranks of my favorite poetry books list. Dan Burns does such an excellently thoughtful job of expressing both the deep and superficial thoughts of the human mind and heart, I was enchanted from the first page. His poems' titles are well-chosen and often witty, his style rolls like a river of thought - until it crashes over that final-sentence stone and leaves the reader considering all the deeper meanings.

My personal favorite aspect of Burns' writing was the way he ended each and every poem so powerfully. As an amateur poet myself, this has always been one of my goals in writing poetry, and it was amazingly inspiring to see a more experienced writer using this method with an excellence I can only dream of.

A few of the poems in this volume were so beautiful either in the sorrow or the joy they portrayed that to read them made me cry, and to read them again still makes me cry. A truly powerful work.

For all lovers of poetry, the hidden meaning, the deeper thought, and for those who speak 'silent words' this book is a must read.

[Alex Richmond · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received my copy through the Goodreads giveaway.

I have really gotten into poetry the last few years. I find that it tackles story and emotion in a deeply personal way that I am drawn to. I find myself enjoying rhymes and more classic styles, so I did struggle to connect to these poems, most following the more modern free verse. That said, I enjoy that the author has longer poems and stories, something I feel many modern poets avoid.

I would say that those who have a deeper and more natural relationship with poetry will enjoy this more then me. I find myself looking for more in poetry then I get out, and that may at this point be my own flaw rather then anyone else. Despite this, I am grateful for the chance to read this book, I hope that others enjoy it more then I was able to, and I hope that the author, should he read this, forgive my inability to understand and connect in the ways he may wish he readers would.

[Kathleen Babb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always had trouble reading and interpreting most poetry. Loved reading this author's poems. Most were more like reading a short story and many I reread 2 or 3 times. I found these poems able to hit home with emotion regarding life, death, making decisions in our lives, love, etc. Even if you think you never enjoyed poetry, read this collection and I think you will change your mind. Once I started to read, I read through the whole book in one day.

[Cynthia Lippstreu · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway by the author. Thank you! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. One beautiful thing about poetry is that it expresses the inexpressible emotions that we all feel, but can't quite define. This book of poetry will sit on my bedside table, awaiting my lonely hours when it will comfort me with the knowledge that I'm not alone in feeling the huge sadness of life that we must wade through in order to live fully.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't read much poetry but I really enjoyed this read!

[Brooke Goodwin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m a little conflicted with this book. I really like several of the poems, the illustrations, and how descriptive the author is.

BUT most of the poems were so long and I felt like the point of the poem was lost, they were written more like ramblings or prose, and the topics were all over the place. I get that this is a collection with no specific theme. I just felt like there was no organization and I could see areas where there could have been that would have made the reading experience much more enjoyable…at least for me.

I really did enjoy the illustrations though, and the author’s descriptive style! Though I’d say my biggest issue was how long ~90 of the poems were. If they have short lines that’s not a problem for me. It’s when they look like paragraphs but don’t read quite like poetry that I struggle. (If the book advertised itself as ‘poetry and prose’ I would’ve overlooked this, but it didn’t.)

I’m just disappointed I didn’t enjoy it. Maybe it’s just not my thing.

[J · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly, this wasn’t my cup of tea. There were lines I liked, no entire pieces. It felt like my very white stepfather would like this, if he liked poetry. It definitely appeals to a certain audience. The collection did have some poems that reminded me of the way I thought and created when I was in high school. And that just isn’t something I put a lot of value now. Familiarity is not always nostalgic.

[R · Rating 1 out of 5]

*I received this book for free through Goodreads giveaways in exchange for an honest review*

I didn't find the topics chosen interesting. I think it needs something that sets it aside from other poetry. To me, it is just random thoughts with no greater meaning and a lot of rambling. It has little to no emotion. Overall, this simply isn't my kind of poetry. I will be passing it on.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful collection of poetry and long verse. Written with incredible emotion, heartbreak, love and very hopeful.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great collection of poems. Dan Burns has insight and perspective of life that is very relatable. Highly recommended.