Cloud Watching in the Inferno: a sort of review
Cloud Watching in the Inferno is the latest book from Westley Heine, a writer I often hail as one of the best in these modern times. The book released from Roadside Press earlier this year and is a collection of poetry and short stories, and Wes’ best work to date.
First, the cover art for the book, by artist Daniel Stine, is eye catching and a perfect accompaniment to the words within. The book kicks off with three poems and then dives into a wild love story featuring a geriatric partner. Mirroring real life the story doesn’t end happily and all its lessons are learned the hard way.
Staying with the stories, a few of which I believe worthy of those best of the year anthologies, there’s Shadow Boxing in Uptown, a story about a young writer trying to find a toehold in the world, and it’s a pristine example of the have nots working for the haves.
The story Shot of Mercy leaves humor behind, and becomes a tender and touching tribute to a man and his beloved dog. Tributes are made for sad reason and this one’s no different. Sad, but beautiful. The short Easy Street is a dystopian metaphor for the cycles of technology and progress, and then there’s one of my favorite stories, The Sphinx of Silverton. That one tells the tired old tale of a cowboy visiting a whorehouse, except this one isn’t tired and ends unlike any other cowboy story you’re likely to ever hear, and it could make a cool, good horror film.
This is one of the things I enjoy about Heine’s writing. It’s never predictable and rarely ends how you think it will, and this adds an element of suspense to the sing-song rhythm of his words.
The poems? There’s honkey tonk angels and empathy for houseflies. Pterodactyl cults, looking for Jesus, booster shots and Purgatory Diaries, and then there’s Zen in Hell a phenomenal piece that’s “a freak show selling normal” and is accompanied by an incredible black and white sketch from artist Anthony Christopher.
And my personal favorite Uptown Eddie, a poem sort of about gentrification that features a character akin to Frank from the TV show Shameless. I’ve drank in dozens of taverns that had their own Uptown Eddies and Wes captures all of them with his keen eye for detail.
This book is another in a series of publishing triumphs, and showcases the breadth and depth of Heine’s abilities. There’s straightforward punch you in the jaw writing and experimental writing, and sometimes both in the same poem or story. The sets and scenes vary from inner city madness to a lonely hunter in the mountains. From Santa Monica BLVD to downtown Chicago. The words are a blend of rustbelt grit and academic know how, another of my favorite things about Wes’ writing. And the fact that he writes the poems and stories that only his voice could pen. Heine has developed into a true original. Something like an old west cowboy wearing night vision goggles and shooting ray guns.
Cloud Watching in the Inferno should be coming to your mailbox soon. I’m confident you won’t find another book quite like it anywhere else.
OR contact him on Facebook for a personalized copy
-Dan Denton
Love this! Thanks, Dan!!