The Glenmore Sessions: A Collection of Poetry (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781091695849)

This poetry collection undoubtedly deserves a place on your bookcase beside all the poets your English teacher told you to read.

When I read a poetry collection, my desire is to know the poet by the time I read the final piece. I crave an insight, a journey, no matter how small, something I can recognize because I have seen it before in my reflection; and allow it to move me.

Fulkerson's debut collection, The Glenmore Sessions, achieves just this. His words made me laugh, made me smile, made me think and brought tears to my eyes. At times he writes about the perils of drinking too much alcohol in 'Frank'; or our collective loss of innocence as the years roll by in 'Sonic Youth'; or the bittersweet taste of nostalgia, in 'Springsteen'. Writer and reader fluctuate in and out of giggles, deep thought and the reveries which sting as Fulkerson reveals to you his inner fears, queries and qualms. Some of the best pieces are incredibly succinct: 'Kissed the Heavens' and 'Anatomy of a Poet' are worthy of a standing ovation.

Fulkerson has mastered his craft and created a collection which is clearly of the 21st century and yet warms you through with the whiskey of history as you make your way to the end. In today's world where anyone can wield an image with a few words and call themselves a poet, I am happy to say Fulkerson really is a poet. The kind we've been reading for years; intelligent, original and human.

Reviewed by Kristiana Reed

The Glenmore Sessions is Joseph Fulkerson's debut collection of poetry. In it you'll find his musings on life, love-both found and lost-and the human condition. This collection documents a time of great upheaval, self-discovery, and rebirth that we can all relate to.