Q: What are we to make of the ominous recurrence of snow in The Trees The Trees?

The Trees The Trees by Heather Christle wins The Believer Poetry Award. Naturally.

When I say YOU ARE EMILY VALENTINE, I’m talking about 1991/90210/14 yrs old.

Your voice is my favorite pair of pants I wear it skintight I wear it until it’s frayed until I’m sore between my legs.

—Meghan Privitello

“Without the disruption of correctness, without any way out, really, Slawson does not allow for our exit. These poems were written without regard for the author or for his audience, and I admire Slawson for it. Right or wrong, it leads to a necessity in the poems (to their existence, to your reading of them) that feels dangerous, but also feels extremely beautiful, even when it’s bleeding all over you blue blue dress.”

—BJ Love

The other Seattle reading. The one where my hair was especially 1982 and I told a hypothetical story of a hypothetical story about fried chicken and read a ferocious poem that almost burned my sweater off.

it’s like a concussion + a bad trip + a heart attack + words sputtering incomprehensible unintended and switchblade

Here’s something horribly obvious: my favorite new book.

That one time in Seattle when I read stuff while wearing Justin Boening’s pretty purple vest.

Mailman Victory! Ben Kopel Victory! Victory Victory!

Wherein I discuss “Love Lockdown,” non-metaphorical hearts, All The Real Girls, and ampersands.

And then I drank a lot of IPA and read some poems.

“These poems demand we find our own megaphone hearts.”

–Gina Myers

February Week 1 winner! You think you can match this?

For the month of February, I’m giving away one book each week. What do I ask for in return? Love. How do you get a free book? Post/share a video of yourself reading a Nate Slawson poem. Winners will be chosen by me and some guest “judges” of questionable repute. Tell your friends!