A.M. Hayden, S. Preston Duncan, Erica Reid
Let me tell you about three books I loved by A.M. Hayden, S. Preston Duncan, and Erica Reid
American Saunter by A.M. Hayden
Flowersong Press
July is a good month to think about our country and all the many people living in the United States and their unique cultures and perspectives. American Saunter is the perfect companion to this contemplation. The collection is rich with history, new and old. One of the most gripping pieces to me was about school shootings, which have become part of every life in the United States. “Rinse, Repeat Chalkboard” is a crushing poem about the fragility, fear, and uncertainty facing our youngest and most vulnerable citizens. The photograph A.M. has paired with another poem on the same theme, “Kids in America” will really give you pause.
It isn’t all doom and gloom - this book is saturated with unique, cool, and funny pieces - like “Grand Canyon”, “Chickens in Kansas”, and “San Andres Mountains” that let us explore the richness of the landscape of the United States and the quirky charms of Mid-America. If you are road tripping, throw this in your bag. I think it will inspire you to snap some photographs and pen a few of your own poems as you saunter America.
(This is also true for her book Old World Wings - Poems of Europe, which has the same format of photography mixed with high quality and intuitive writing.)
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Blood Alluvium by S. Preston Duncan
Parlyaree Press
With this collection, Duncan shows what good poetry does best - pulling the reader in, teaching, making you feel. It’s a collection with something for everyone. I don’t think it would be possible to read more than a couple pages and not find something that resonates. This is especially so for those who have recently experienced grief and tragedy, which unfortunately includes me this sad, terrible, hot summer.
I want to highlight a few truly amazing phrases of inspiration that only Duncan could pen.
clouds curdling into cherry blossom
elbowed wind
terrified of language (I am definitely stealing this - with a note as an after, of course!)
“A buck jumps the fence.
As soon as he sees the dog
he forgets completely
how he got there.”
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Ghost Man on Second by Fort Collins Poet Laureate Erica Reid
Autumn House Press
I am reposting a review I published with Drip Literary Magazine that some may have missed. See it at the end of this post or read it in their blog space: driplitmag.com/plash/favorite-books-of-2025
Be on the lookout for Erica’s next collection, which I have heard is in its final stages of publication! I’ll look forward to reviewing that book, too! Erica is an inspiring creative who goes above and beyond for the poetry community. Support her work by asking your local bookshop to order Ghost Man on Second. This book won the 2023 Donald Justice Poetry Prize.
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Something that really stood out to me in this grouping of books is that they show so clearly why we need art and poetry as a commentary of the human condition. No AI could create what these three authors have gifted us. Support artists and small presses by asking the titles be carried at your library, buying a book when you can, and writing reviews. Reading reviews is also a great way to support - so thanks for reading this one!
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A note from Rachel: I am looking for folks to review my two books with small presses, too! Record Player Life (the b-side) and Retired Wannabe Club Kid. If you can write a review for me and help spread the word about my collections, please email me for a free digital review copy.
Thank you. The books are also for sale on my website: TURNEYTALKS.COMturneytalks@gmail.com I make graphics on Canva and do not use AI to write.
Rachel Turney is a former art reviewer for New City Magazine. She is currently the writer in residence at NKollectiv and hosts the Trident Women’s Writing Group. She runs Poetry (in Brief), an online reading series and magazine. She is a staff writer for Bareback Magazine and a poetry reader for The Los Angeles Review. She is the author of two books: Record Player Life (the b-side) and Retired Wannabe Club Kid. Sign up for her newsletter and learn more on the website.
