David Kirby’s latest collection, The Winter Dance Party: Poems 1983-2023, might not be a video game, but trust us, it’s got rhythm. If you’re looking for an experience that gets your blood flowing and your mind moving just like your favorite arcade Dance-dance-revolution game, then you need to dive into Kirby’s world. Forget button-mashing; this is about brain-mashing in the best possible way, with words that hit you with the same exhilarating energy as stepping on those arrows in perfect time to the beat.
You might be thinking, “Poetry? Isn’t that, like, the opposite of a high-energy dance-dance-revolution workout?” And okay, maybe you’re picturing dusty tomes and hushed libraries. But Kirby’s poems are anything but quiet. They are vibrant, loud, and full of life, just like stepping onto the dance floor and feeling the bass drum kick in. The reviewer of this collection, much like a dedicated dance-dance-revolution player craving the next challenge, was yearning for more. They wanted a massive, overwhelming collection, a poetic equivalent to a marathon dance session that leaves you breathless and wanting more.
Imagine wanting a poetry collection so immense, so substantial, it’s like requesting the ultimate dance-dance-revolution machine – one with every song, every difficulty level, and maybe even a built-in fan to keep you cool as you reach those high scores. This reviewer envisioned a book as heavy as a Volkswagen, something that would make even the strongest movers sweat, a literary equivalent of the heaviest dance-dance-revolution platform ever constructed. They wanted a book that could metaphorically drop on their ennui like an anvil, crushing boredom with the sheer force of poetic energy, just like nailing a perfect run on expert mode.
Over years of reading Kirby’s work, this reviewer, much like a seasoned dance-dance-revolution veteran, has collected each volume, appreciating every poetic “step” along the way. They longed for a complete compilation, a definitive “greatest hits” album of Kirby’s poems, akin to having every Dance Dance Revolution mix in one place. The anticipation for this collection was like waiting for the newest Dance Dance Revolution arcade cabinet to arrive – a moment of pure, unadulterated joy for the dedicated fan.
Now, some might see the poetry world as exclusive, a bit like thinking only expert players can truly enjoy dance-dance-revolution. But just as anyone can step onto the dance platform and find their rhythm, Kirby’s poetry is accessible and engaging for everyone. This isn’t about insider cliques; it’s about genuine appreciation. The reviewer, in a moment of “full disclosure” as transparent as a dance-dance-revolution scoreboard, admits a connection to Kirby, but insists their praise is sincere. It’s like saying, “Yeah, I know the arcade owner, but I swear, this new Dance Dance Revolution machine is seriously awesome!”
Despite being a substantial collection, at 280 pages, the book still left the reviewer wanting more, much like finishing a great dance-dance-revolution session and immediately wanting to play another song. They devoured it in a single day, forsaking all else, diving in like Scrooge McDuck into his gold, or perhaps, more aptly, like a dance-dance-revolution enthusiast diving into a brand new song chart. Kirby’s poetry offers a range of emotions, from laughter to tears, a full spectrum of experience as varied as the music genres found in dance-dance-revolution, and as emotionally resonant as finally conquering a challenging dance routine.
The reviewer highlights the “heart” in Kirby’s poems, the core element that makes them so compelling. This heart is like the infectious beat of a dance-dance-revolution track, driving you forward, making you feel alive. The problem, if you can even call it that, is that this book, while fantastic, is finite. It’s not the endless, ever-expanding dance-dance-revolution experience some might crave. It’s a collection, not an infinite arcade.
So, until Kirby releases the truly massive, definitive collection – the literary equivalent of a dance-dance-revolution arcade that never runs out of songs – all that’s left to do is to return to this book, to reread and rediscover, to keep stepping to the rhythm of his words. This collection, while not heavy enough to be used for bicep curls (unlike a real dance-dance-revolution platform, maybe!), is awarded the highest praise for its poetic energy and engaging rhythm. It’s an invitation to your own personal winter dance party, a revolution of words that will get your mind and heart moving.
