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Made Man
Full of fun and full of anguish, superbly conscious of every rule they break, Jendi Reiter's third poetry collection explores female-to-male transition and gay masculine identity through the voices of unusual objects and fictional characters with some aspect that is constructed, technological, or hybrid. From a surrealist's eggbeater discovering feminist consciousness, or a pastry box enforcing omertà, to the Nicene Creed as interpreted by Frankenstein, these startling life studies open up onto a broader consideration of humanity's relationship with technology and the shadow side of male dominance of nature. Illustrated with original paintings by graphic designer and multimedia artist Tom Taylor.
142 pages, Paperback
Published March 1, 2022
12 people want to read
About the author
Jendi Reiter
15 books29 followersAuthor of the novel "Two Natures" (Saddle Road Press, 2016), the poetry collections "Bullies in Love" (Little Red Tree, 2015), "A Talent for Sadness" (Turning Point, 2003), and several chapbooks. Award-winning short stories published in Iowa Review, Bayou, OSA Enizagam, and others. 2010 Poetry Fellowship from Massachusetts Cultural Council. Working on novel series about gay men's spiritual journeys.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 12, 2022
Made Man: Poems by Jendi Reiter
Like the collection’s title referencing stereotypes preserved in phrases, the wonderful poems by Jendi Reiter in Made Man bend phrases, stereotypes, and one’s mind.
“Of Mice and Women,” one of the poems in their latest array, examines a phrase familiar as the title of the novella Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. But Steinbeck was referencing Robert Burns’ 1785 poem “To a Mouse on Turning Her Up in Her Nest with a Plow.” Reiter brings those literary traditions forward, alerting the reader to a new voice. It is a voice familiar with literary tradition, and how to break that tradition open - into a new landscape.
Reiter’s language leaps off the page, inviting the reader to hear, see, and feel the images. In the poem “Liars,” fire is thus described:
“Fire wouldn’t scorch you. You’re exempt
from the ash and fizzle, the cold stain
that daybreak leaves. “
Reiter’s poetry is complex not just in language, but also in composition. In the poem “Favors for Undesirable Men,” they reveal that the work emerged from “a found poem composed of filler phrases from spam emails received in 2001-04.” One thinks of William Burroughs who sometimes followed the practice of cutting up text and re-arranging the fragments until “magic” happened.
Magic happens often, in Made Man. In the poem that gives the collection its title, and evocative cover art by Tom Taylor, Reiter again utilizes classical reference, here from the Bible. It’s also a visual poem, set on New York’s West 23rd Street, depicting and contrasting coming-of-age rituals.
Most of Reiter’s poetry in Made Man is not bound by the rhythm or rhyme of some kinds of verse. But “Puzzling Prayer to St. Anthony” moves through couplets - and also through a gallery of literary lights. In addition to the Saint, one meets Shel Silverstein, Vermeer, Michelangelo, Hitchcock, and Leonardo da Vinci.
Jendi Reiter is a poet of far-ranging exploration, well-positioned among notable writers throughout the ages, while offering a new vision through, and among, them. Made Man is a book to bring along on your journey. Most highly recommended for readers interested in literary history and a breakthrough future.
- K. Lusk Brooke, Center for the Study of Success
Like the collection’s title referencing stereotypes preserved in phrases, the wonderful poems by Jendi Reiter in Made Man bend phrases, stereotypes, and one’s mind.
“Of Mice and Women,” one of the poems in their latest array, examines a phrase familiar as the title of the novella Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. But Steinbeck was referencing Robert Burns’ 1785 poem “To a Mouse on Turning Her Up in Her Nest with a Plow.” Reiter brings those literary traditions forward, alerting the reader to a new voice. It is a voice familiar with literary tradition, and how to break that tradition open - into a new landscape.
Reiter’s language leaps off the page, inviting the reader to hear, see, and feel the images. In the poem “Liars,” fire is thus described:
“Fire wouldn’t scorch you. You’re exempt
from the ash and fizzle, the cold stain
that daybreak leaves. “
Reiter’s poetry is complex not just in language, but also in composition. In the poem “Favors for Undesirable Men,” they reveal that the work emerged from “a found poem composed of filler phrases from spam emails received in 2001-04.” One thinks of William Burroughs who sometimes followed the practice of cutting up text and re-arranging the fragments until “magic” happened.
Magic happens often, in Made Man. In the poem that gives the collection its title, and evocative cover art by Tom Taylor, Reiter again utilizes classical reference, here from the Bible. It’s also a visual poem, set on New York’s West 23rd Street, depicting and contrasting coming-of-age rituals.
Most of Reiter’s poetry in Made Man is not bound by the rhythm or rhyme of some kinds of verse. But “Puzzling Prayer to St. Anthony” moves through couplets - and also through a gallery of literary lights. In addition to the Saint, one meets Shel Silverstein, Vermeer, Michelangelo, Hitchcock, and Leonardo da Vinci.
Jendi Reiter is a poet of far-ranging exploration, well-positioned among notable writers throughout the ages, while offering a new vision through, and among, them. Made Man is a book to bring along on your journey. Most highly recommended for readers interested in literary history and a breakthrough future.
- K. Lusk Brooke, Center for the Study of Success
May 23, 2024
Jendi Reiter is a poet of uncanny talent. Cleverly titled Made Man far surpassed my expectations. Each of its broad array of subjects—from a Tarantella or New Jersey's Vince Lombardi rest stop to the "Word of the Year"—is entered "slant," at a surprising angle, and the freshness is maintained to the end, like a tightrope walker's balance. The skill of word on display here ratchets up the stakes around every turn, as the poet continually shape-shifts from form to form, so you never quite know where you're going, yet it's the right place. You can just feel it.
There's a rare line here or there you might wish to tighten up a tad, if you want to quibble, but that's only because the rest of them seem so unchangeably, flawlessly cut. There's no clichés whatsoever, and what struck me overall about Made Man: Reiter's is a true poetic vision. We know when we're being being fooled, but it's not by this book!
Poetry lovers will relish this mysterious outpouring of rebellion—and of respect for the very things rebelled against. It's like doubt dipped in a deep well of optimism. —William Huhn, author of Bachelor Holiday (BlazeVOX)
There's a rare line here or there you might wish to tighten up a tad, if you want to quibble, but that's only because the rest of them seem so unchangeably, flawlessly cut. There's no clichés whatsoever, and what struck me overall about Made Man: Reiter's is a true poetic vision. We know when we're being being fooled, but it's not by this book!
Poetry lovers will relish this mysterious outpouring of rebellion—and of respect for the very things rebelled against. It's like doubt dipped in a deep well of optimism. —William Huhn, author of Bachelor Holiday (BlazeVOX)
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews