I have been fortunate enough to see The World's Tallest Poet (alleged) perform his work a number of times, but this is the first time I've gotten to sit down and really take in his words on the page. Having gotten to hear him live, it is satisfying to find his vocal style and physical presence come through on the page. Here are the words of a man who somehow cares so much and doesn't care at all, who takes everything seriously and nothing seriously. I liked this a great deal, but I can't say I liked every poem. Of course, if I HAD said that, he himself would be disappointed with me. Plainspoken and enigmatic, content and despairing, disturbed and unshakeable, Ian Winterbauer's poems are as much of a delightful koan as the poet himself.