All-American Poem (APR Honickman 1st Book Prize)

Dickman's poetry is deep water and macro pulsing through micro moments. Deep LOVE for ALL his work! Some quotes:"Her hips unfolding like a cotton napkin and you begin to think about how all the stars in the sky are dead.""he was notthinking of how much he'd lostor who he would love desperatelywith nothing but windmoving through his hands like a rope.""Some days a kitchen can save your life.""..all the West like a giant carrotdangling in the blue sky and Rilke's angelshaunting him, following himinto the bathroom at night...""I dropped acid and walked through a park where I met myself over and overuntil I was afraid that I wasn't anyone at all."It's all magnificent and sticks forever! Get a copy! LOVE LOVE LOVE!

All-American Poem is a wonderful collection of poetry all adding up to a complete portrait of America. The book is separated into three parts. The first part focuses primarily on themes of love and memories that are representative of the personal aspects of life. In the second part, Dickman's focus shifts to the broken pieces of the country. The poems in this section deal with suffering and troubled times that everyone can relate to at some level or another. The final section of his collection relates more to universal ideas such as beliefs or moments of self-discovery. The underlying theme throughout the collection is, of course, America. I would recommend this collection to anyone who is just beginning to explore the world of poetry. Matthew Dickman's poems are very straightforward and easy to understand. They also paint very vivid pictures and would be enjoyed by any fan of poetry.

But then again I was pretty high (on drugs AND on life!) I'll definitely give it a sober re-read, but I thought it was good in an almost manic beat poetry way minus the misogyny- if was full of life, specifically an easily recognizable and relatable, but still special, kind of life.

one of my favorite poetry collections. fell in love with his poems as an undergrad. poignant, funny, weird, honest. never get tired of reading them. writing is smart without being pretentious- i'm admittedly a "literary" person, but i think these poems appeal to the general populus as well. i think a few that most like are "love," "a slow dance," and "grief" are good places to start. looking forward to buying dickman's mayakovsky revolver.

I bought this book after multiple encounters with Dickman's poem, "Love." I thought it would be the best in his collection and really stand out. I was wrong. The whole book is full of great little, long and every length in-between poems. They're all vivid, concise and wonderful. However, my favorite poem will always be "Love."I would suggest this book to anyone who wants to read some excellent "new" poetry (stuff published within the 2000's), considering he has won multiple awards.

I absolutely LOVE this collection of poems by Matthew Dickman. I have read it cover to cover at least three times, and I keep going back to my favorite poems over and over again. There is something very real and relatable about his writing, and it is a joy to read.

Matthew Dickman is a genius. You will find yourself coming back for more and wanting to share this work with everyone you know. Timeless, honest, interesting, beautiful, ugly writing. Matthew Dickman is the best poet alive.

The All-American Poem is so aptly titled as this book of poems hits on the themes and motifs that I think most American's accept and agree with.

In my top 10 poetry books for this year carry it with me everywhere I go. A readers must have

A wonderful, spirited, honest, vonerable, rejoicing human book