Questionable Views by Edward Ahern

Ed Ahern’s themes are nothing short of momentous—lust for life, transience, mortality. They are wrung through his short, quartz-hard poems with a force that sometimes attains to that of the Hopkinsian “ooze of oil / Crushed.” A recurrent motif in Ed’s work is the hunt, which, even as it pins the deer or the pheasant in the cross hairs, catches the poet himself in the lights, the frozen quarry within our larger viewing. Before long, we the readers are right there with him, hunters and hunted, ourselves swamped by the pervasive ache and terror of an impending blackout. Dark? Yes, but also immeasurably liberating.

–Prof. Ralph Nazareth, Curley’s poets

Edward’s poetry is characterized by honesty and integrity. He has the ability to reflect on experience and share emotion succinctly. His writing invariably secures empathy and respect, and commands the full attention of the reader. I have admired his work for many years and I am sure that you will enjoy this collection.
–John Stocks, Poetry Editor Bewildering Stories Magazine.

Read one or several each day and this volume will last a while. But some will last longer than awhile for they will stick with you like burrs you collect in your walks through the thickets of life.

–Ray Rauth Wilton Poets

From service in the armed forces to Egyptian gods to a witty form letter from Santa to the kids, Ed Ahern covers a wide expanse of ground in topics, forms, and tones. As he says of the animals in “Boarders,” there’s a “surprising amount of room at the inn.” Enjoy the fun and philosophy!

–Laurel S. Peterson, Poet Laureate, Norwalk, CT, 2016 – 2019