The 21 poems in Any Excuse for a Party are funny, or occasionally funny, but with soul— ranging from poems about Betty Boop to poems about grief therapy. She wrote these poems in everyday American English, trying to catch the patterns of every day speech. Carla chose pieces that reflect her unique sense of whimsy, and fascination with older popular culture (e.g., Betty Boop, King Kong, Moby Dick) as well as, her childhood. There are also poems that mingle humor with tears like “I Dream I Live with a Baby Elephant” or “Grief Therapy.” The effect is delicate and Calder-esque, like a poetic circus.

The 21 poems in Any Excuse for a Party are funny, or occasionally funny, but with soul— ranging from poems about Betty Boop to poems about grief therapy. She wrote these poems in everyday American English, trying to catch the patterns of every day speech. Carla chose pieces that reflect her unique sense of whimsy, and fascination with older popular culture (e.g., Betty Boop, King Kong, Moby Dick) as well as, her childhood. There are also poems that mingle humor with tears like “I Dream I Live with a Baby Elephant” or “Grief Therapy.” The effect is delicate and Calder-esque, like a poetic circus.

The 21 poems in Any Excuse for a Party are funny, or occasionally funny, but with soul— ranging from poems about Betty Boop to poems about grief therapy. She wrote these poems in everyday American English, trying to catch the patterns of every day speech. Carla chose pieces that reflect her unique sense of whimsy, and fascination with older popular culture (e.g., Betty Boop, King Kong, Moby Dick) as well as, her childhood. There are also poems that mingle humor with tears like “I Dream I Live with a Baby Elephant” or “Grief Therapy.” The effect is delicate and Calder-esque, like a poetic circus.