Follow Follow: A Book of Reverso Poems
1 Hardcover/1 CD (see all formats)

"On this companion to the recorded version of Singer’s Mirror Mirror (also available from Live Oak), the same two narrators continue their stellar performances of this almost impossibly clever verse form. Since the alterations in punctuation are all but invisible to the listener, Singer and Morton employ every vocal trick in the book to extract the subtly shifted meanings of the frontward and backward versions of each of the 14 entries. From exaggerated accents to subtle emphasis, from slyly varied pacing to full-stop pauses, they wring every ounce of playful meaning out of every line. Nicely varied background music enhances each poem, and though there are no page-turn signals, the end of each of the individual selections prompts readers to turn the page unguided. The recording concludes with a full rendition of the back matter: an explanation of how reversos are constructed and a tale-by-tale synopsis of the originals that form the basis for each entry. All in all, a highly satisfying production."

"Listeners are treated to Marilyn Singer's second collection of folktale-based reverso poems, her own poetic creations whose lines produce whole new meanings when read from top to bottom or from bottom to top. As narrator, Singer is tuned in to sharing the nuances that changes in punctuation, word order, and emphasis bring to the same poetic lines. In "Will the Real Princess," the words "this bed rocks" exude ecstasy when read one way or agony when incorporated into the reverse line. Joe Morton narrates with playfulness; he's an especially low-voiced and leisurely Turtle in contrast to his jumping-up-and-down-the register and speedy Hare in "Ready, Steady, Go." The author's explanation of reverso poetry and synopses of the volume's folktales complete the production. "