Poems by Glen Brown

 

Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kindle.

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

Must-Read Poetry Collection:

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

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)

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

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

 Superb Book of Poetry

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

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

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

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

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