Houses: Poems by Homer Starkey

In Houses, his first poetry collection, Homer Starkey explores past trauma, sudden loss, self-isolation, and the spirit's ultimate rejuvenation.

At times pithy and playful, other times a stream of somber consciousness, these collected poems interlace humor and sorrow to reflect the beautiful struggle of life.

Sample poems:

What to Do When the World Ends

When cougars lose their claws

When rednecks don't say "y'all"

When porn stars want to cuddle

The remaining sane should huddle

When praised poets fill stadiums

When Texas belles won't wear their mums

When husbands tell wives, "I understand"

We should all come up with a plan

Leaves, Autumn

We fall, are grieved, decay

Like the sins we bring,

Our imperfections,

Our championed things

Now the world of lofty song--

These bucolic gardens--

Fossilize in disrepair;

The heart and phloem hardens

Our punishment is this:

Not limbo or hell or black,

But days finding ways to make more days,

None of which exact

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