New voices in poetry

First off: I am not an expert in poetry. I don't consider myself, by any means, to be especially well-read in poetry. I often don't understand it. Many of my favorite poets and poems are probably considered to be classic or popular, or--dare I say it--easy. I like Robert Frost. I like Shakespeare's sonnets. I can fully throw my support behind a good limerick just as easily as a multiple-page epic or short, profound haiku.

That being said, I do actually enjoy poetry. More than that, I appreciate it: I like the succinctness of it, the necessity of well-chosen words, the play of sound and meter, and how a poem can show the power and connection of the word and imagination in ways that other written forms often don't. Such is the case with a new book of poems I've recently come across, which has quickly become the shining star in my poetry world.

Behold, I Could Pee On This: and other poems by cats.

I don't really want to spend too much time giving you my impression of these works, because I feel that can often ruin a good poem for other readers--so much of the impact of a poem is in the individual reading of it, of letting the words call out something of yourself. I'll just say that these poems are really, really, REALLY about cats. Because they're written by cats. Or, if you can't suspend your disbelief, they could be written by cats. All the emotions and experiences that say 'cat' are there--curiosity, energy, sleep, ruined furniture, demands, disdain, pride, loyalty, mistrust...even a little love. And so much more. If you're a cat lover, pick up this small tome and gain a little insight into your beloved feline companion.