A review by mikewomack
Counting Descent by Clint Smith

3.0

For me, reading collections of poetry is a lot like removing the performance from musical albums or the performance from Shakespeare's plays. It can still be a meaningful experience but the fully intended message isn't realized because the author's literal voice is missing. At least, that is the experience I had with Counting Descent. Some of these poems are gut punches but many others are closer to fine. I tried to listen to Smith's performances of these poems while I read and that was helpful but I think an audio of each poem could have been even more powerful.

Here is one of my favorite poems from this collection:

How to Make an Empty Cardboard Box Disappear in 10 Steps

1) Find the scissors
2) Cut the sides of the cube
3) Attend the rally of Trayvon Martin
4) Attend the rally of Renisha McBride
5) Attend the rally of Jordan Davis
6) Attend the rally of Michael Brown
7) Attend the rally of Eric Garner
8) Attend the rally of Freddie Gray
9) Find another empty box
10) Attend the rally of _________