Ryan Flaherty pays particular attention to linguistic slippages and etymologies as he examines the persistent difficulties of language and love in his latest collection, What's This, Bombardier? Alternating between self-deprecating humor and striking images, wry wordplay and a sense of awe at the beauties and absurdities of the world, these poems construct a postmodern play on the foundation of sadness, wonder, and longing. The combination is smart, fun, and ultimately heartbreaking--an exciting, extraordinary debut.
