The Dark Gnu and Other Poems

Poetry. Wendy Videlock's THE DARK GNU AND OTHER POEMS plays, jokes, teaches, admonishes, yields to the ecstatic, and strays into the shadowy where If not for the dark, / no / spark. All of this is heightened by striking full-color illustrations from the author herself. There are stories that come and go in a couple of blinks, and stories that linger and juggle their way from hut to the market, to the fair, on a swaying dappled mare, to get to all the good to be had or done. Mother Goose, myth, folklore, chants, lyrics and narratives are well-represented. Like NEVERTHLESS, Videlock's first collection also from Able Muse Press, THE DARK GNU abounds with fun, quirks, wit, and wisdom, but this time to enchant and enlighten children of all ages.

Wendy Videlock's poems contain laughing pears, rhyming coyotes, and jaded wind. In reading this book, I found myself laughing and gasping in equal measures. And cursing, as well, because Videlock is so damn good and I'm so damn jealous of her talent. She is one of my very favorite poets.--Sherman Alexie