“In poems that are often meditative, humorous, philosophical, speculative, Glen Brown’s Hum If You Can’t Sing revisits all sorts of narratives—mythic allegories, fairy tales, news stories that boggle the mind, family histories—all in the service of blurring the edges between what is strange and surreal and what is domestically habitual. Here are poems that show us Snow White as a harassed housewife, or Sleeping Beauty surrounded by modern day condos and a Prince who is existentially troubled by his circumstance. But here are poems as well that acknowledge how our diurnal lives can be fraught with tempestuous and epical emotions, how family migrations can have a legendary cast to them, how boys playing stickball on city streets may remind us of more Olympian competitions. In this fine melding of the extraordinary with an everydayness, the improbable with the commonplace, the poems show us how our lives can seem more expansive and astonishing, how they might attain, finally, a level of wonder.”
—Gregory Djanikian
“Hum If You Can't Sing is so verbally playful and so invitingly aware of its clear occasions for poetry that it reminds us of how a delight in language so often rhymes with a delight in life. And as the title suggests, all of us, no matter what our aptitude for singing, can join in Glen Brown's delightful chorus.”
—Michael Collier
“Through his playful wit and deft use of language and line breaks, Glen Brown’s exquisite collection of poetry breathes new life into some familiar tales. With a poetic sleight of hand his work offers a singular insight into human nature and into the beautiful nature of language itself.”
—Jen Christensen
It's available on Amazon: ISBN: 978-1-7372855-9-5 (paperback)
It's also available at Barnes & Noble: ISBN: 978-1-7372855-8-8 (hardcover)
Amazon Reviews:
A Joy to Read:
Reviewed in the
United States on January 15, 2024
Glen Brown’s humbling collection of
personal poems, Hum If You Cannot Sing, is a joy to contemplate, again and
again. His verses are a fun and flawless reminder of the riotous carnival of
our lives: past and present. Bizarre historical oddities are often summoned in
a surreal séance of the bygone and notorious quite off the spectrum(?) of human
behaviors; not to mention, the life of a Chicago child growing and erupting
into corporeal and mindful enlightenment; and constantly fresh reminders of who
and what we all are in this parade of emotional souls. If you seek you’ll find
yourself and all the others of us in this fun, dreamlike and image-perfect
sideshow in a magical collection of verse. Enjoy! -John Dillon
Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2024
We should all take Glen Brown's advice and "hum if
we can't sing" while breaking into song and dance "at every conflict
in life." Wouldn't the world be a better place? This eclectic mix of
poetry hooked me from the first page and took me through an amazing journey
where Brown showcases his mastery and love of poetry. Metaphorical fairy and
folk tales, hilarious interpretations of popular news stories of the weird,
reflections of family, profound social commentary, memories of growing up in
and around Chicago in the 1950's and 1960's are all included. I have read the
book three times now, and I'll be sure to go back to it many more times in the
future. -DJM
Full of insight and beauty
Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2023
I don't know how many people buy books of poetry. I sure didn't for a
long time. I was under the impression that poetry was a complex undertaking,
full of strict rhyme schemes, esoteric culture and impenetrable philosophy.
Turns out I was wrong- poetry can be the very opposite of all that. It can be
simple, delightful, accessible and understandable. In Hum If You Can't Sing,
Glen Brown shares with us a collection of poetry that is inviting and enjoyable
but still rich with insight and clever turns of phrase.
The stories told here are both universal and deeply personal. They are full of
fairytale heroes and modern scenes, with stories either large enough to fill a
newspaper front page or otherwise small enough to fit into a quiet afternoon.
Glen is a master of juxtaposition, creating the new from the familiar, mixing
joy with sadness, frustration with humor, in equal measure. So read it, without
reservation. There are no rules to the dance. Read if you can't write. Hum if
you can't sing. -Nick Vovos
Delightful
Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2023
I'm a retired high school English teacher and know of Glen through his
pension writings. Intrigued by those, I purchased HUM IF YOU CAN'T SING. This
will be a simplistic review because I can summarize in a few words: These poems
are my life. Section III reminds me of my childhood - Royal Blue where we
bought our penny candy, neighborhood baseball games, my pet squirrels, our
unlocked house, my name. I, too, have an obsession for chocolate; I stash it in
the garage refrigerator and hide it in my drawer. I enjoyed the connections to
politicians, film, fashion, literature and toys in section I. I know all too
well the questions, the pain, and the deaths that surround surgery.
"Without Pomp and Circumstance" echoes my exact feelings. But I
have to admit my favorite is "Keeping a Net beneath Them." I taught
composition and honors classes, but I also taught special ed/remedial classes.
There was nothing I liked more than seeing the "I get it" look cross
a student's face. That is what I miss most about teaching. I know this is a
collection I will read many times as it is as personal to me as it is to Glen,
and I thank him for that. -Robin Cederblad
A powerful collection of poems . . .
Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2023
This collection of poems by Glen Brown is powerful. Brown took me through
a life's joys and sorrows, with grace, skill, and irony. I like his style,
casual and elegant at the same time. I flew from one poem to the next, unable
to put down this book . . . and in an hour, Glen Brown had taken me on a
wonderful journey. Each poem is a beautiful surprise. This is one of the best
books of poems I've read in a long time. I recommend it to anyone with
imagination and an open heart. -Bob Borta
A compelling collection of vivid, insightful, and personal poetry
Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2023
I've read many individual poems, but not many poetry collections. I read this one in a single sitting, which I rarely do with any book nowadays.
The imagery is vivid, well-crafted, and compelling. I found myself experiencing many glimpses of life moments both real and imagined. A childhood baseball game; a soldier in the jungle; couples engaged in heated arguments or conjugal bliss; a tragic death; a child playing in the snow. The broad range of people and experiences covered within and among these poems offers an insightful glimpse into the human condition. The tone ranges from serious to humorous, heartwarming to despairing, always with an eye to the humanity of the people and the poignant power of the experience.
This book also demonstrates the merits of a poetry collection. Taken individually, most of these poems would serve as excellent reads in their own right. However, including them in a shared collection creates space for the emergence of recurring themes and arcs that would be lacking when the poems are read individually. On a good day, a poetry collection is to poems what an album is to songs -- and this poetry collection is having a good day.
I definitely recommend this collection for anyone who enjoys reading and is currently experiencing the human condition. Whether or not you relate to the specific memories and experiences described therein, you will find poems and verses that speak to you. -Treesong (Justin O’Neill)
A masterful poet.
Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2023
Glen Brown's poems are a revelation. They are keen observations on the
human condition. He writes of families and philosophy, unusual answers to
surprising questions, Barbie dolls and baseball bats. There's just a lot packed
into 100 pages. -Fred Klonsky
Witty, Personal and Thoughtful
Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2023
This was written by my most influential teacher from High School. This
was my initial reason to purchase the book. I am so glad I did; it is full of
insightful and inspiring words. I highly recommend this book. -Karen
Rice-Heidewald
Beautiful:
Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2023
Glen Brown has written a beautiful
collection of poems that are approachable, emotive, nostalgic and universal.
His stories resonate with my own life experiences, and I felt for the narrator
in several. Thank you Glen for sharing this gift with the world.-Mike Magluilo
Variety of Poems, All Well Written!
Reviewed in the
United States on May 4, 2023
Whether you are an avid poetry reader, only occasional, or anywhere in between, Hum If You Can’t Sing was written for you. Some of the poems are playful, others much more serious, and all came to life as they brought me to another time or place. A wonderful book to pick up time and time again. -Bekah
Poetry that speaks to the human condition in an
intellectually and emotionally playful manner
Reviewed in the
United States 🇺🇸 on March 17, 2023
Hum If You Can't Sing, is a great
collection of poetry from a long-time friend, and former teacher, of mine.
Since I purchased this book, it has not left my desk. I like to open it to a
random page and to see what Glen has to say to me on that occasion. His sense
of humor and social justice, as well as his awareness of history are played off
against the sometimes-arbitrary nature of human existence. No matter where I
turn in this treasure it gives me something I value. Hum let's me check in with
my friend whenever I need it. -Al Rago
Writing that touches you in body, heart and soul
Reviewed in the
United States on March 22, 2023
From the title poem, through the
landscape of Chicago through the years , to the metaphors of fairy tales, to
his personal experiences, Glen Brown takes one on an inner journey with his
poignant and beautiful poems. Glen covers so many ages and places and
relationships throughout his book that there is something there to touch
everyone. Growing up in Chicago, I had a deep appreciation for the references
that touched my young adulthood there, but you don’t need to know them to
connect with these poems. Yet, “Hum If You Can’t Sing” and “Birth of an Angel”
are the most gorgeous among these. I can see myself dancing through “Hum,” and
laying in the snow flapping my arms in “Birth of an Angel,” giving one body
sensations of the words. This is when poetry touches me most deeply. Don’t miss
this remarkable book of poems! -Jann, Signal Mtn. Tennessee
Pitch Perfect
Reviewed in the
United States on March 22, 2023
Just as the title suggests, "Hum
if You Can’t Sing" unconditionally invites the reader into poetry with no
expectations or prerequisites. Glen Brown is a masterful wordsmith in this
eclectic and engaging collection of work. He challenges societal constructs and
teases conventional wisdom, captivating our curiosity and encouraging us to use
our own voice, however out of tune. -Johnny Alletto
Reviewed in the
United States 🇺🇸 on March 15, 2023
“Prose – words in their best order;
poetry – the best words in their best order.”
--Samuel Taylor Coleridge in 1827
The poetry of Glen Brown brings us the
2023 examples of this definition in his latest collection, Hum If You Can't
Sing. The scope of his poetry ranges from well-articulated silliness to
philosophical insights, all the while respecting a reader's intelligence. He
never talks down to a reader; he never drowns a reader in obscurity. He chooses
to be like the porridge that Goldilocks eats – just right. He writes of playing
in the streets as a child, to revisiting Rapunzel, and of coming to terms with
our ultimate end. Yes, simply read, alertly reread, and thoroughly savor his
poetry. You will be amply rewarded for your journey. - Ken and Mary Lou Previti
Powerful and Thought provoking
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 9,
2023
Powerful, sensitive, thought-provoking, delightful!
Creativity at its best! HUM IF YOU CAN’T SING is a keeper! Thank you, Glen
Brown! -Sharon Jakubka.
On Messenger:
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 9, 2023
Got your book today. Preparing for an afternoon read.
Thank You. I like the way you use “history” to set up your voice to follow. I’m
a bitch with content. So I’m gonna disengage and enter with a clean slate to
see where you take me… March 22: Been reading your work a coupla times… enjoy
the plain story voice and the “headline setups” for the poems to follow… March
29: Glen/Poet: Clean lines that take us somewhere/ a triad of voices that blend
into one. An enjoyable read of your history and those you admire or analyze.
It’d be fun to do a duel reading… -Terry Jacobus
Plagiarize this book:
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 11,
2024
You’ll sound witty to your friends and
maybe win over the target of your affection. You’ll laugh reading these poems
if you are the type. You’ll cry if you’re more that type. While many writers
aspire to have a way with words, Brown has his way with them. He threads
together relatable fibers of everyday life into a tapestry commemorative of the
human experience. Remarkable work. -Jeff Price
