Four Southeast students featured in poetry collection

Dustin Michael has been striking out with asinine poetry since high school.

"I wrote this goofy poem for my 11th-grade girlfriend in a Christmas card. She read it and said it was really cheesy. She broke up with me a week after Christmas."

Michael's early diss has been forgotten, now that the poet is featured in a new book, "Asinine Love Poetry." The collection features contributors to the website www.asininepoetry.com, an online journal for all poems silly and hilarious.

Four Southeast students, including Michael, read their own asinine poetry at the book's launch April 16 at the Sidewalk Sandwich Co. on Themis. Shawn McClain, Wade Christian and Doc Bertram are all students in Southeast's Department of English.

Alumna Marybeth Rhodes, whose work is also featured in the book, performed a reading as well.

"Asinine poets aren't out to answer the big questions, or conquer the world of thought," Rhodes said. "The deeper message is there isn't a deeper message."

Michael agreed: "Asinine poetry is easy to listen to and read. It doesn't require a lot from the reader."

"Asinine Love Poetry," which is edited by the New York-based writer and founder of the Asinine website, Richie Narvaez, is available through the Asinine website, and at the Barnes & Noble website and store.

Divided into several sections, including "pitching woo," "don't you want me baby" and "bye bye love," the collection offers funny poems for all stages of the romantic cycle.

Michael believes "Asinine Love Poetry" will be the perfect addition to the library of any lothario.

"Having this book in your apartment will definitely help with the ladies," Michael said. "I long for the day when I have a lady in my apartment."