Boy in Various Poses

Boy in Various Poses is a debut collection of poems by Lewis Buxton that explores the complexity and multiplicity of gender, revealing a maelstrom of mental health, male bodies, and sexuality. The poems are provocative, nuanced, and often laugh-out-loud funny, shining with a naked, shameless brilliance. They capture the rugby scrum of insight and uncertainty, the questions and discoveries, and are beautifully tender. The book is unforgettable, utterly addictive.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 72 pages
\n Publication date: 20 May 2021
\n Publisher: Nine Arches Press
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"Boy in Various Poses," a captivating debut collection of poems by Lewis Buxton, delves into the diverse spectrum of boys one can encounter, encompassing tenderness, darkness, introspection, and vulnerability. Within this poetic tapestry, Buxton fearlessly uncovers a maelstrom of mental health, male bodies, and sexuality, employing wit and curiosity to unravel the intricate complexities and multiplicity of gender itself.

The boy portrayed in these poems is a chameleonic figure, elusive and slippery, often appearing out of focus, rushing through life with a frenetic pace. Yet, despite his elusive nature, Buxton approaches these boys with an intimate and precise lens, studying their bodies and behaviors with a disarming candidness. The poems in this collection are provocative, nuanced, and brimming with laughter, radiating a raw and shameless brilliance.

Steven Camden, in his review, praises "Boy in Various Poses" for its ability to capture the "rugby scrum of insight and uncertainty" and for the questions and discoveries that resonate with him. Camden describes the poems as "birth marks," drawing him into their world and revealing their unique qualities. Hannah Lowe also commends Buxton's debut, praising his precise and imagistic language, which often has the poems singing from the page. Lowe describes the poems as bold and moving, highlighting their ability to transcend conventions and offer lyrical and smart answers to the question of how a boy becomes a man.

In these taut poems, Buxton challenges societal expectations and stereotypes, dropping them stylishly and elegantly like a coat on a dance floor. The answers to the question of how a boy becomes a man are myriad and transgressive, encompassing a range of emotions, experiences, and sensations. The poems evoke images of flowers and oranges, hunger, knuckles, slow dancing, glitter, and fear, creating a vivid tapestry of the human experience.

As the book concludes, we are left with a sense of departure, watching a boy running out of his lungs, the sky's hair flecked with grey. "Boy in Various Poses" is an unforgettable and utterly addictive read, leaving a lasting impression on its readers. Buxton's poetic prowess and boldness in exploring the complexities of gender and human experience make this collection a must-read for anyone seeking a fresh and captivating perspective on the world.

\n Weight: 110g\n
Dimension: 139 x 216 x 15 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781913437138\n \n