A Defense of Poetry

by Gabriel Gudding

Gabriel Gudding’s poems not only defend against the pretense and vanity of war, violence, and religion, but also against the vanity of poetry itself. These poems sometimes nestle in the lowest regions of the body, and depict invective, donnybrooks, chase scenes, and the abuse of animals, as well as the indignities and bumblings of the besotted, the lustful, the annoyed, and the stupid.

In short, Gudding seeks to reclaim the lowbrow. Dangerous, edgy, and dark, this is an innovative writer unafraid to attack the unremitting high seriousness of so much poetry, laughing with his readers as he twists the elegiac lyric "I" into a pompous little clown.

Genres: Poetry

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Molly M M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh Gabe Gudding.

[Laurel Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Gabe, reading this collection was like being in workshop all over again, both of which were just magical. The underlying defense against the vanity, the seriousness, and pomposity of the lyric "I", all jumbled into a reclamation that had me laughing out loud. This collection is a delight, and even better if you imagine him reading it. If you're in the need for a laugh, and some poems about butts, this is the ticket.

[Kent · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is an imaginative, vibrant energy in this poem. But unlike some books, which seem interested only in bathing themselves in the fact that the imagination exists, it feels to me that Gudding makes it relevant. And that relevance comes through a strong narrative suddenly exploding with an image that delights in its improbability.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great collection. The title poem is a pretty amazing insult piece, and there are many other gems. Most of the poems straddle the space between poignant and ridiculous, and sometimes they swerve too far towards the ridiculous, but for me the ridiculousness is often its own reward.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The humor alone is worth the read!

[Cate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a man who can write poems about his butt on one page then translate latin on the next. Does it get better than that? Don't know...

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

poetry and butts and my favorite professor ever- what more can i say?

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Irreverently funny and serious at the same time. Enjoyment in recognizing literary references scattered throughout econimum's faint praise, anger and humour at once. This book makes me happy.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.