Thin Kimono

Craig’s third book, like his first two, is a playful and straightforward examination of the everyday turned on its head. His motives, though mutable, are consistent—”I believe in tacos and mortification”—and his approach is at once no-nonsense and consciously silly: “After lunch a human head came out, on its own,/ from behind the boathouse./ This was supposedly an omen / but we took it as an inconvenience.” His offbeat remarks are a source of surprising amusement and yet somehow familiar. “One statue in particular makes me feel like a mime./ A professional mime. But not a successful one./ One of the lesser mimes.” If nothing else, this book will show you that “Humans learn early to smile to keep from being eaten. Also to aid/ in procreation. Those are the only reasons,” and that it is possible to have “weather for feelings.” Craig (Yes, Master) is a fun read, and his accessibility makes his latest book an enjoyable experience for new and seasoned readers alike. (Sept.)