Brenda Taulbee's poems give my spine reverb, like poetry is meant to, like only poetry that matters can. -- Lidia Yuknavitch, author of Chronology of Water, The Small Backs of ChildrenBrenda Taulbee is a mushroom which doesn't appear in my fieldguide. Her poetry is graffiti composed as an exquisite tattoo. -- Casey Bush, editor, Bear Deluxe

Brenda Taulbee is the poet of damaged love, and hope, writing in a landscape recognizable to most of us: a mattress strapped to a jeep, the kindness of a stranger in a heavy rain storm, that little tab broken off the back of the video control. Forceful, original, and utterly compelling, "I am a known breaker of broken things," she says. "I can guarantee the permanent dismantling/of anything even moderately salvageable./While gluing the handle back on your/favorite mug?/I will undoubtedly manage to chip the rim./Patching your jeans I'll blow a seam/rendering them unwearable./Listen."

Nine lives, four paws and endless furry antics to entertain us. Cats are creatures of habit but what happens when those they love and trust cast them out? They end up in shelters or on the streets all across the world. Their habits become shaken and they must adapt. It is extremely difficult for them to learn to trust again.There are those that are willing to take the time however. Cats are calming, lovable animals that can purr their way into your heart without you even realizing it. If you take the chance to adopt or foster one of these incredible balls of fluff you will find yourself bending over backward just to hear their adorable meow and snuggle with them at night. They are work but they are worth it. It is too bad we don't have nine lives as well. Perhaps then we would have enough time to repay all of the joy and love they bring into our lives.