His poems are shaped with an economy, with a supple control, that recalls the lyrics of W.B. Yeats–perfectly solid and down to earth, yet floating with a lyric ease. This is an impressive debut. -Edward Field
Steve Turtell’s poems are refreshingly direct and unpretentious. I’m moved by their generous humanity, their plainspoken, hard-won truths, and the poet’s deep relishing of his experiences, desired or not. His uncommon craft makes it sound almost simple. -Joan Larkin
Steve Turtell’s poetic voice is at once funny, tender, and tough-minded. His verse is lyrical, his subjects both social and sexual. His intelligence is grounded by a frank and warm-heartedly humane vision, and his eye is uncannily perceptive and true. -Kate Christensen
Letter to Frank O’Hara
Number Three in the ReBound Series and winner of the 2010 ReBound Prize. Originally published by P & Q Press in 2000; published in a new second edition with an introduction by Joan Larkin:
“. . . I love Steve Turtell’s poems for their music, their honesty, and their embrace of reality. They are refreshingly direct and unpretentious. I’m moved by their generous humanity, their plainspoken, hard-won truths, and the poet’s deep relishing of his experiences, desired or not. His uncommon craft makes it sound almost simple.”