Jabberwalking by Juan Felipe Herrera (review)

Poet Laureate Emeritus Herrera takes a poetic peek here at the process of writing poetry in this freewheeling, “Jabberwocky”-influenced narrative. Free verse in multiple font sizes dances across the oversized pages, describing Herrera’s practice of “jabberwalking” (“that is, write & walk & write & walk nonstop”) and turning those written notes (or “burbles”) into a poem, sometimes with the aid of a newspaper or other writing. These pieces of advice, broken up into bite-sized chapters, offer comic insight into the process of creation; they’re interspersed with prose interludes chronicling Herrera’s youth and with wacky space adventures, sometimes involving Herrera’s dog. There’s great performative energy to the zippy, active approach to writing that makes it a refreshing complement to more technical or thoughtful guides. The fantastical side adventures are too digressive, though, lacking plot traction and the personal energy of the writing advice, and the fanciful motifs and turns get somewhat repetitive over the length of the book. There’s still power and a perspective-shifting approach to poetry here that could make this an inspiring partner to tales of poetry creation such as Grimes’ Bronx Masquerade (BCCB 3/02). Hearty scribbles by Herrera accompany the text.