Crush (Volume 99) (Yale Series of Younger Poets)

CRUSH is an exceptional book of poetry that does not lose in depth of artwork and mastery when compared to other historical masterworks. Despite this, it is still very approachable. Unlike many other collections of poetry, it can still be appreciated on an experiential level by those who do not have extensive prior knowledge about poetry. However, it is not light reading. The main themes are personal reflection on the experiences of living as a gay man, using the medium of film as a tool throughout to address stereotypes, storytelling, and the way we transition between different stories that we tell about ourselves. Despite this, the book also has humorous elements and is very witty. With time and discussion, greater depth can always be found in the poems. After taking the time to sink into Siken’s style, this collection becomes a treasure trove of lyricism, confrontation with reality, and heartfelt reflection. This is one of the few books that really inspired me to continue writing poetry. His style is unique and well-developed throughout. Siken is a master of phrasing and incorporating colloquial language into his poetry. Overall, on a stylistic level and content-wise, this is a really exceptional book. I would highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in poetry, but especially people who have lost interest and are looking for something to ignite their imagination again. For those people who wish to appreciate the genre and are looking for a more accessible way into poetry, this may not be the first book to go to, but it could be one of the first few.

Crush is a three part collection of poetry. The first two parts are almost flawless while the third has some moments of weakness. That said, the first two parts are so good that the third part can not detract from their power. Part One establishes several motifs that wind their way through the poems of parts two and three effectively binding them together. The mood of part one also throws the reader into a sense of claustrophobic grief and yearning that pervades the poems. While at times difficult to read, the poems are strikingly honest and immediate. The sexual undertone is both symbolic and explicit at once: in The Torn-Up Road, Siken provides the powerful metaphor of "a boat slamming into the dock." Siken frequently uses "You" turning the reading experience into a conversation between the reader and the poet. Although the poems are often tragic they are also filled with surprising humor. "We clutch our bellies and roll on the floor...When I say this it should mean laughter, not poison." Part Two is similar to part one but the poetry is even wilder and more tightly focused on the crush. "Boot Theory" is a spectacular opening poem and "Saying Your Names" provides an equally exquisite closing. The final section is the most philosophical and at times the meaning becomes opaque as in the mammoth poem "You are Jeff" it is unclear what emotional argument Siken is trying to capture with his extended metaphors. However, the final poem "Snow and Dirty Rain manages to summarize the emotional journey of the collection and brings a sense of closure. Siken hits several helpful notes and provides a thesis for the entire collecion: "We can do anything. It's not because our hearts are large, they're not, it's what we struggle with." Part

Richard Siken's Crush is a visceral collection that plunges readers into the depths of desire and obsession with a cinematic urgency. Each poem is charged with raw emotion, blending themes of love and violence that leave a lasting impact. Siken’s confessional style and vivid imagery create a compelling and immersive experience that is both unsettling and enthralling.

“Crush” by Richard Siken is a chapbook of poems that work perfectly together. What is it like to be a boy that falls for another boy? They both love each other, but they aren’t supposed to voice it. All set against a backdrop of hallucinatory dreams, obsession, maybe murder, & a crushing world none of us really fit in. Siken has a truly great way of creating images with his sometimes violent, sometimes beautiful, & sometimes both words. The poems also feel like a serial, asking you to devour them in one sitting. & then read them again. I’ll definitely read again. 💜 “I Had a Dream About You” is probably the poem I like best, though “You Are Jeff” is the poem I’ll continue to think about. Also, from Louise Glück’s forward, “And the triumph of ‘Crush’ is that it writhes and blazes while at the same time holding the reader utterly: ‘sustaining interest’ seems far too mild a term for this effect. What holds is sheer art, despite the apparent abandon.”

I am in love with this book. I bought it a couple of years ago on a recommendation and have read it over and over and over again. Other reviewers have sung the book's praises brilliantly and I agree with many of their descriptions. Violent, haunting, tender, unflinching. I think my favorite adjective for these poems is "seductive." The way you're lulled into reading a nice little love poem ... and then sent reeling. It's breathtaking. "An all-night barbeque. A dance on the courthouse lawn. The radio aches a little tune that tells the story of what the night is thinking. It's thinking of love. It's thinking of stabbing us to death and leaving our bodies in a dumpster. That's a nice touch, stains in the night, whiskey kisses for everyone." The scenes are so alive, so vivid, so intense and immediate. Very cinematic poetry. I wish I could write like this, and I wish there was more of Siken's work out there to be found. I've been searching ....

You won't find m any books like this one! Its a wild ride but fascinating. I read it through in one sitting then read it again.

I bought this book simply because I was intrigued by the cover. After the first few poems, I was hooked. Richard Siken writes with a sense of longing and urgency. Take this, for example: "You’re in a car with a beautiful boy, and he won’t tell you that he loves you, but he loves you. And you feel like you’ve done something terrible, like robbed a liquor store, or swallowed pills, or shoveled yourself a grave in the dirt, and you’re tired. You’re in a car with a beautiful boy, and you’re trying not to tell him that you love him, and you’re trying to choke down the feeling, and you’re trembling, but he reaches over and he touches you, like a prayer for which no words exist, and you feel your heart taking root in your body, like you’ve discovered something you didn’t even have a name for." The words fall over themselves in the most beautiful, almost aching way. I've read my book numerous times now, and everytime I find something new I didn't see before. Completely recommend!

I'm really in love with the way Mr. Siken manipulates words in order to describe things that are at once beautiful and rather scary, and after finishing this book of poetry, I wish I had more to read. He's one of those authors you'd like to follow and watch as their works matured. "A Primer For the Small Weird Loves" is one of the poems that left me with that feeling of unease you get when you've heard something you're certain you didn't want to. Where as, "You are Jeff" though not the happiest of poems, was really rather beautiful. Though it should be noted that not many (if any?) are very happy poems. Now, the reasons I'm giving it 4 instead of 5 stars. Firstly, one of the other commenters here wrote about redundancy, and i have to agree. There's a fine line between recurring imagery and being repetitive, and this one crosses that line. Maybe it wasn't meant to be read in one go, and I could forgive that. Still give this five stars, because this is one of those books where you carry your highlighter and just go to town on your favorite stanzas and lines....but he changed my favorite poem, "Wishbone" I first learned of Richard Siken through that poem, I'd read it over and over (and over) again, and how it appears here in this form is not nearly as strong as it was when earlier published. I just wanted that copy in a book so i could carry it with me as part of his work and I was disappointed. Still, this was a great addition to my collection books.

I was deeply touched by this, nothing more to add *If you like this, you'll enjoy "Physical" by Andrew McMillan(?), one of the best poetry books I've ever read

Poesie rabbiose e disperate. Di solito preferisco poeti più "gentili", ma proprio l'impeto e la sincerità di Siken me l'hanno fatto amare. Felicissima dell'acquisto.

Best poetry book I've ever read, raw emotions and evocative read. Richard Siken is an author unlike any other. I haven't found a poem of his I don't like. Incredibly inspirational and sometimes I have to sit with a poem for a bit and process everything. Best kind of poetry, I keep crush in my handbag and literally take it everywhere with me. Absolutely incredible book.

O conteúdo do livro é incrível, mas que palhaçada pagar caro pra receber um livro rasgado. Amazon.com.br decepcionou nisso, ja tive uma entrega cancelada com outro livro e agora este livro que paguei caro veio com esse rasgo na capa.

my girlfriend loved it!