Hitch

Matthew Holmes brings us to the end of his rope with a nuanced precision... we are not tethered by what he hitches us to, for as he writes, generously, 'the premise of tying' is, yes and ever, 'to untie.'
-- Erï¿1/2n Moure

A solid debut distinguished by Holmes' far-ranging versatility.
-- Steven Heighton

Hitch is the first collection from New Brunswick poet Matthew Holmes. With quiet wit, Holmes introduces us to a world of quirk: science is skewed, deer are hunted with alphabets, the Pope is a potato offered to a homeless woman, and a sailor comes to terms with tying the knot--one that can't be untied. Opening with a series of poems based on historical figures such as Degas, Baer, Avogadro and Heisenberg, Hitch immerses the reader into a world of rich details--retelling past events and taking us in new directions.

These poems revitalize the everyday, showing us the author's view from his window, his commute and even his major appliances. Readers will be drawn to Matthew Holmes' varied subject matter, colloquial language and captivating voice.

In the title series, diagrams of knots and maritime themes are interlaced with reflections on love and partnership. Here the speaker becomes both the hitcher and the hitched, learning this/ river/ with my fingers/ threading a hitch on each side. Holmes' work commands attention; even everyday objects and events such as fridges, dog shows and boots take on new significance.