Swoop: Poems by Hailey Leithauser
Good poetry is usually edifying, but it isn’t always fun. I get the sense that this poet had a blast writing these poems, which take full advantage of word play, aggressive rhymes, and playful rhythms. In fact, I’ve never read another book quite like it.
Many of the poems have short lines (many just 3 syllables); the poet is fond of palindromes; the short lines tend to emphasize rhymes; and there are more than a few puns throughout this short book.
Plus, look at that cover. Even if the poems weren’t smart and fun (they are) you could by the book just for the beautiful cover (a 1918 painting by Paul Klee).
