pJack Powers is attuned to twists of life and language--insults refitted as endearments, families defined by their troubles, great care taken with modes of recklessness . . . . Near the start of his debut collection, he's praising the massive coronary, favoring it over the dwindling disease and dementia that took his elders. But as mortality hovers, he teases, testing wits and teasing out the good stories of lucky close calls, game grandmothers, swearing babies, and a wry mother. . . . Pretty soon, he's against the quick demise--and the sky seemed full of answers, some hurtling like arrows into the future. --Amy HolmanppIn Amy Holman's words we find the essence of Jack Powers' emEverybody's Vaguely Familiarem. His twists of life and language, are like the twists of code in a strand of dna. They replicate, as much as is possible, both what we have in common and what distinguishes us. emWhyem, this collection asks, emwhy doesem everybody seem vaguely familiar How do we relate to one anot