Please Come Off-Book is an interesting metaphor for life. If you are not familiar with the term (I think I had heard it, but also was not completely familiar with it at the same time) it means that when you are in a play, do not have your script and come having memorized your lines. In other words, my interpretation of Kevin Kantor’s use here means, “Live your life without a script, but of course, we do that anyways, but boy do we really need one most day.” Especially if you are someone like Kator who is trying to learn who they are in a world that is binary, is black and white, decides there is male or female, that has rules that nobody told you about, but when they did, and you break them, all hell comes from it. And trying to stay sane, try to live life without too much damage, but damage comes.
This is a realistic, dramatic, sometimes self-centered but always self-reflective, and in your face commentary on being Kevin Kantor. Their journey and experiences and thoughts and hopes and dreams and loves and hates all come together in these pages. Some great “one liners” and some even greater poems come out of the words on the page. You will love or hate them and maybe want to be Kantor’s best friend or worst enemy. But in the end, you will feel and think about things.
This is not a poetry collection for a beginner looking to dip their toes in the poetry pool. It is for someone who might have a little background with and is willing to take a trip into the world of Kantor without judgement. Of course, our preconceived notions, feelings and ideals will come with us, but even if they do not change, Kantor will make you think. And even though they are “not you” and have had (most likely) a radically different path than yours, Kantor is relatable and an interesting poet.