Escape Velocity

Small Press Bookwatch, Jan, 2005

Escape Velocity

David Breskin

Soft Skull Press

71 Bond Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217

1932360441 $13.95 softskull.com

Escape Velocity is an original work of free-verse poetry, that uniquely reveals the darker side of life in America--poverty, social inequity, and worse with a combination of cultural critique and raw linguistic depiction of ugly realities. Bluntly written, prizing honesty over flowery language, the poems are crafted from the grit of human experience and offer a clear reflection of harsh reality. "Welfare Reform": The Lakota used every piece // of the buffalo and I expect no less / from you. If you rub me hard enough // against the rough concrete of the voters, / my skin comes off like grated cheese. // Recover the chaise. Patch the frayed cord / of the tennis net. Resole the old soft shoe.