Some Common Weaknesses Illustrated

Carson Cistulli's poems are a series of unexpected meditations on often overlooked parts of life. Combining formalism with poetic experiment, he sheds light on his peculiar condition of feeling that he is trapped inside of a poem while being addicted to sports--basketball and baseball in particular. In these poems language seems to replace meaning, while feeding our spectacular, collective appetite for the truth.

Praise for "Some Common Weaknesses Illustrated" from Yale Series Poetry Award Winner Loren Goodman:

"Carson Cistulli's book of poems is like the rabbit that pulls the magician into his hat. It is like an enormous handkerchief spewing out colorful severed hands. It is like the woman who uses her naked body to cut saws in half."

"I am struck by the poems of Carson Cistulli.

They strike me repeatedly about the head, face

And heart. Sometimes they beat me with a smile

Sometimes they caress me with their wickedness

I try to get up but they get me again in the gut

As he says, 'It hurts at first, but then feels good—

sometimes even better than before.'”

"Carson Cistulli is an actor.

His poems are his films.

I like the popcorn."

Other reviews:
"Dip into it as you would throw the I-Ching. Or as you would stumble, weeping, into the self-help aisle, grab a book, and look for answers. Each line is crafted for your improvement." -- Pioneer Valley Arts