Two local literary minds have coalesced for the release of Versus, a two-pronged collection of poems featuring Nick Barrow’s The Rabbit Punch Defense and Mark Flanigan’s Journeyman’s Lament. Barrows, a musician and former member of band Eagle to Squirrel, pens lyrics and poems intensely self-reflective and rattling; Flanigan, a CityBeat contributor and noted storyteller, writes with a scathing voice that’s often self-deprecating, but never without a hopeful undertone. The combination of the two marks a prodding of humanity and the human psyche that is sometimes dark, sometimes ethereal and sometimes humorous. It debuts Final Friday with a reception and live readings from the two authors; a second debut event will be held Dec. 28 at The Comet in Northside. See aurorepress.com for more details about Versus. 7:30-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30. MICA 12/v, 1201 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine.
This article appears in Nov 21-27, 2012.