Piso Mojado by J.D. Nelson

                J.D. Nelson, you truly are a unique create. When I see the cover page I think about some poor anonymous swimmer swimming to his or her death. It seems rough. It seems this is a ‘lifeguard chapbook’. But none of the poems reference water. Many of them do reference Mr. Nelson’s freak-o-system state, Colorado. Let me state for the record: I adore Colorado. Colorado has some of the most wonderful, unique and artistic people I have met. In other words, it is completely different than that cultural sinkhole Florida. 

                You may remember these poems from such places as Otoliths, Blue & Yellow Dog, Eudaimonia Poetry Review and Moria. Never before have these all been housed under a single PDF’s roof. That is, until now. Strap on your helmet and prepare for the weird and wild wordplay Mr. Nelson engages in. 

                ‘Freedom Pepsi’ renames Pepsi in the name of the greatest gift God ever gave man. I’m talking of course about America because these colors don’t run. I like California Zephyr. It is quite pretty. Most of these poems take place out west usually around Denver, Fort Collins, and other tried and true American blue cities. ‘Winnemucca and No/w/here’ is aesthetically pleasing. The flow of words and the design appeal to me. Wish I knew what it meant, but I’m a sloth, not a cryptographer. I simply know what I like, and I like this poem. 

                ‘Vo-Tech’ rambles like imaginary post-it notes. Each phrase reminds you of things you need to do, have seen, observed, or talked to. The stream washes over me. I like the last line ‘I’m too cool to clone myself’. That’s the kicker. Personally, I think J.D. should clone himself, but I’m going to let that idea linger for a little while. I wonder what a Vampire with Denver wheels looks like. 

                ‘Dracula Branch’ follows the Vampire line. This is a good transition. Above the vampire the moon moves slowly. I dig it. ‘Nearness Detroit’ feels wistful to me. It comes across as an elegy to Detroit’s previous industry, complete with the perfect line ‘One of those 1940s superheroes’. I tend to support Detroit strongly, the weird art scene raising itself up and in general some of the stranger things going on after the near-death of a city. ‘What is your only Life and Death?’ uses the ‘&’ to great effect, mixing Sprite, Latin and Jesus into one single idea. I feel if the Romans were alive today they’d drink Sprite because they’d want to obey their thirst. ‘Just ask Carl without the Coat’ mentions jigawatt poles, which are poles electricity strips on. 

                This is a fun chapbook. I like the attention to geography and design. I’ve encountered J.D.’s work before and his ability to mix design into the poem is greatly appreciated. I kind of enjoyed the ranting, oftentimes hurried rush of the words. Hopefully the swimmer from the beginning finds some sort of salvation, perhaps with the Sprite Jesus. Sprite Jesus will save us all.