Poetry. THE US, Joan Houlihan's tantalizing third book of poetry, is a poetic sequence spoken in the collective voice of nomadic hunter-gatherers. Incompatible with a stronger, more advanced culture ("Thems"), the Us must live outside civilization in order to be free and fully alive. Practical and canny, the Us are also possessed by a sense of awe expressed in superstition and ritual. With echoes of classical mythology, age-old legends, and resilient allegory, this is an absorbing and altogether unique book of poetry. Houlihan's language is ancient in sound and texture yet entirely modern in impact.

Author City: ACTON, MA USA

Born and raised in Massachusetts, Joan Houlihan has been a teacher, technical writer, reporter, critic, and editor. Her books include THE US (Tupelo Press, 2009), THE MENDING WORM (New Issues Poetry & Prose, 2006), and Hand-held Executions: Poems & Essays (Del Sol Press, 2003). In 2004, she founded the Concord Poetry Center, and in 2006 she established the Colrain Poetry Manuscript Conference for advanced writers. She is also currently on the faculty of Lesley University's low-residency M.F.A. in Creative Writing program.

Reviews and Other Links
author site
Jacob A. Bennett @ The Critical Flame
Kirk Etherton @ Boston Area Small Press and Poetry Scene
Dean Rader @ The Weekly Rader
JackTres @ Mowgli, Esq.
audio: interview by Christopher Lydon @ Open Source