AustLit

'‘David Kelly has an uncanny ability to dissect the most mundane moments with unexpected bursts of insight. Laced with David’s bizarre sense of humour, quartet is a collection of poetry like no other. It tantalises the senses and makes you reach deep into your own humanity to reflect upon snippets of time, real or imagined. From the environmental swirl of life in the forest, grasping the message from a dying man’s handshake, memories of an expectant toddler, through to creating a regiment of the elderly with scooter trains, David’s poetry is firing on all four cylinders.’ – Suellen Drysdale, President, Goulburn Valley Writers Group

'‘David Kelly continues his exciting quest to find different ways to write and present poetry. His fourth book quartet shows four of these ways. The first section contains prosaic paragraphs about everyday life in a country town, the second section has poems in the happy, primal voice of a child, the third section contains long descriptive poems about trees, birds and the families of the bush and the final section presents narrative poems about family struggles which read like a poetry novella. Kelly’s poetry focuses on small but resonant details which celebrate aspects of an Australian way of life.’ – Myron Lysenko' (Publication summary)

'David Kelly is keenly attentive to the still-life moments we can so easily all walk past. His poetry is measured and thoughtful, moving fluidly along the journey of interactions with the handyman, before stretching through to observations of fauna and space and haiku. But just when you think you know where he is leading, he stuns with a brilliant poem like "Seven". From tumbled cats to quicksand, this collection is quietly elegant and profound.' - Robyn Black, poet, memoirist and short story writer

'the handyman and other poems reads like a concerto grosso to me; a concerto grosso of six very distinct movements each with their own pace of language and rhythm fitting for their subject(s) all in a sober language stripped of unnecessary ornamentation that lets you in, that invites you in. A nakedness of language that is commendable. I'm there watching/overhearing the dialogue - verbal and non-verbal - with the handyman. I'm at sporting events trying to grasp what's going on, a silent observer of dinners for two and pondering about space and Australian wildlife and finding an echo of Bashō's frog's hidden jump. In short: I really like this collection.' - Johannes S. H. Bjerg, Danish poet, artist and editor

'When one takes the time to truly read and absorb all of the deeply atmospheric nuances of David's poetry, it very soon becomes quite galahingly obvious that this man is living in a world of allusion. Poignant, evocative Aha! moment allusion. Mr Kelly's latest menagerie of hand-hewn, free-range, home-grown Australian verse is steeped in a billy tea to transport our souls both to the stars and safely back to earth, inexplicably surviving the deadly impenetrable radiation of the Van Allen Belt of toxic incredulity. Buy now, enjoy the rush.' - Peter McQuade, Pterodactyl Man, musician and comic artist' (Publication summary)

''Robert Frost said, "Poetry is saying one thing in terms of another." David Kelly's unique craft, showcased in planes, birds, cats, things, does exactly that. Don't be fooled by the simplicity of the title. Aspects of life, observation and appreciation are embodied in these poems. Strong lines and often unusual vision are the hallmark of David Kelly's writing.' - Helene Castles

''Dear David, I have nothing to offer but my slackness, that and the fact of my birthday weekend and getting to bed at about 8 a.m. this morning. If it's any consolation I really like the MS and will get you something glowing earlyish next week.' - Tug Dumbly

''In a tete-a-tete between sincerity and the literal, David Kelly's poetry raises its head above the literary parapet to personably (colloquially, proletarianly maybe) see and say exactly what's what. This book of his shorter poems does the job with wit, sentiment & charm. '- Kris Hemensley' (Publication summary)