A slim and fantastic set of poems by Indiana's former poet laureate (2018-19), who, yes, served in that role just before the world hit the proverbial fan. Some of the poems here are about the pandemic itself, and take one back to those times full of not-knowing apprehension. The book contains some truly marvelous and unexpected turns of phrase.

There's an intriguing series of pieces in here with the same title (the book's own, inspired of course by David Bowie), and also some introductory quotes from other musicians (Blood Orange, Future, et al.) amid the poet's own inflections of lyrical wonder. Adrian Matejka acknowledges some influences at the back of the book, and I have to think he and Hanif Abdurraqib would get along smashingly if they don't already.

A few scattered Indianapolis or Indiana references in these pages, including a jolt of one (for me) about regarding the drive-through Covid-19 testing conducted in pharma giant Lilly's parking garage in 2020.

I'm excited to delve into more from Matejka, an Indiana University professor, including The Big Smoke, his work that was a finalist for a National Book Award and a Pulitzer Prize.