Love and Other Demons by kt klimax and miss slinky

Book: Love and Other Demons 

Authors: kt klimax and miss slinky

Publisher: Dirty Dog Media + Publishing

For several years, I studied various forms of creative writing with American poet, Bruce Guernsey. The first thing he spot welded into the brain of this twitchy little corn-fed hayseed was that every reader would have a different interpretation of my words and imagery - especially if I was writing poetry.

Truer words were never spoken . . .

The simple fact is that the majority of people are intimidated by poetry, and the biggest hurdle to the mass appeal of this genre is that most readers are convinced they need to understand the poet’s super secret crypto key before they can really understand what each poem is about.

But, here’s the thing, poetry is for lovers not cryptographers, and sometimes a red wheelbarrow is just a red wheelbarrow.

I’m probably oversimplifying it, but there is a beauty to the hustle and flow of sound and structure. Poetry can be soft and sweet, it can be cruel and consuming, it can be hot and silky; and it can be funky and fabulous. Poetry can be everything and it can be nothing.

Sometimes a red wheelbarrow is just a red wheelbarrow, but sometimes it’s a metaphor for, well, something more . . .

The Village – NYC

Amazing sex, chocolate, caffeine & vodka – quite possibly not the most conventional diet out there, but fuck I feel good.   *klimax 

Artwork by
Penelope Barbalios

With that heartfelt sigh, Love and Other Demons, the slick, shape-shifting fusion of poetry and prose by kt klimax and miss slinky opens the door to your intrigue and struts in on six-inch peep toe stilettos like she owns the place.

Make no mistake, it’s hers and she knows it.

Love and Other Demons combines poetry with journal entries, thoughts scribbled across boarding passes and scraps of paper, and previously unspoken fears and frustrations. We’re welcomed into bedrooms, airport terminals, hospitals, and hearts. The authors share heartbreak, anger, sadness, loss, and moments of incredible joy and beauty. They struggle to understand who they are and how they fit in. They wonder why they let people do the things to them they did, and why they still care. They write about their wasted pasts, their unscripted presents, and the unavoidable futures.

The poetry is fresh, passionate, and raw, and the contrasting styles between kt klimax and miss slinky create a rhythm that shucks and jives, and then stutters and stops. One page can be passionate and edgily erotic while the next can be cold, stark, and angry.

crush

Artwork by
Penelope Barbalios

I'm useless in your company

I can't function

You're the most fascinating distraction

So pleasing to the eye

Infatuation

You consume me

Perfection

Ideal

Your admirers outnumber me

They seem perfect

I'm just useless

It's time I moved on           *klimax

The authors bravely open up their lives to the readers, and are refreshingly honest about their successes and failures in everything. The prose offered up by kt klimax gives the reader a deeper insight into the sound and structure of her poetry, and oftentimes provides a literary reef before we move into miss slinky's next lyrical interlude.

sleep into the rain

Artwork by
Penelope Barbalios

The rain drips from a hazy clouded sky

Falling, shivering droplets upon my window

The patter of fingers

Of warmed particles

Pitter patter upon me

I float in the beautiful moment

My half asleep consciousness

A sigh, curled safely within you your arms

My blanket, sleeping into the rain of your embrace     *slinky

Nope, this isn't your typical poetry primer . . .

kt klimax and miss slinky are strong, smart, beautiful, talented writers that share so much more than words, imagery, and rhythm. While their writing can be erotic, sensuous, dark, cold, or even playful, it is always honest and offered from deep within.

Someone asked me a few days ago if I thought there was a chance in Hell that typical Lesfic readers would pick up a book of poetry.

I shrugged, "Maybe."

The truth is, more readers won't pick up a book of poetry than will. Still, there are some amazing poets out there, and kt klimax and miss slinky are two of them. If you like poetry or you're an adventurous reader, Love and Other Demons is worthy of your attention.

I'll admit that I like poetry now and then, and I really liked this debut from these brave, hip new authors.

I'm giving Love and Other Demons a 4.8 out of 6 on the Rainbow Scale - it's got a special style and moxie that I adore.  Besides, kt klimax and miss slinky are working on a follow up, and I'm intrigued to see where they're going to take us.

Love and Othe Demons is available via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Lulu, and Diesel e-Books