Reasons No One Wants To Be My Friend

In this poetry collection, author shayne muses on seven reasons they believe no one wants to be friends with them through poems that "curiously prod...at all systems of power" (Jess Cato, poet and author). Each reason presents readers with a statement that at first glance seems logical enough, before being complicated by the poetry that follows. As each poem unfolds, the reader starts to understand that perhaps the proverbial friends we make along the way would be more comfortable if we simply smiled and kept our mouths shut, needing nothing. These poems are a rejection of a culture that demands we stay small and convenient for the comfort of anyone who'd prefer to maintain the status quo. It's a celebration of the human spirit. "Shayne weaves beautifully the personal and the universal. With ferocity and mastery of language, they force us all to confront the role we play in the collapse of modern society" (T. Gardiner, Poet). "This collection refuses neutrality, refuses politeness, and refuses to stop loving... even when love is embarrassing or excruciating," (Peter Lechuga, poet). "These poems feel acidic to me: they make me want to jump in a mosh pit: they make me feel alive." (Jose Olivarez, poet).