Praise for "And Howls for us to Follow"

The words in Kenny Rose Butts’ poetic revelations and prophecies survive the journey from thought to page with vigor and complexity. His work is of its time, current and compelling. It is thoughtful and valuable...it is, ultimately, necessary poetry.

- Marc Garcia-Martinez, Instructor of English, Allan Hancock College

"And Howls for us to Follow" is a poetry of singular identity and gift. It is a book of silver words. Read and you will see your own polished reflection staring back at you. Read and you will see the America that surrounds you in unforgiving clarity. Read and these words will open you to the beauty of your own possibility. These are the songs of an American poet of the highest order. May you sing them as I do - with wild abandon.

- Chris Murphy, Professor of Poetry

In 'And Howls for us to Follow' Kenny Rose Butts' poetry navigates the reader through a maze of thinking on deep issues, revealing a way of seeing - a clarity of connections in the reader's mind.

- Sage Rose, Teacher

"And Howls for us to Follow" has challenged me to think about contemporary issues in a new way. It is provocative and shakes me from my sleep. Because this poetry is deeply heartfelt, it has been able to touch my heart. What is more important than to touch the heart of another person and awaken them anew?

- Kim Snowden, Artist

These words throw back the curtains and open a special window through which we see ourselves in a web of relationships, whether in love, peace, politics or war. 'And Howls for us to Follow' beckons us to rediscover our source, the mother of all relationships, the natural world around us.

- Marilyn Houck, Unrepentant Spiritual Seeker

What is it like to have a strong immune system in a world invaded by the death virus? Kenny Rose Butts sings the song of the strong. His howls of hope will inspire us all as the body politic struggles for life in the 21st century.

- Kelpie Wilson, Siskiyou Forest Activist

Kenny's 'long-haired bearded eyes and ears' see and hear the world with astonishing clarity and understanding. He speaks truth of what it means to be human now, in this dark time, but with a voice that forever finds the light of love and hope. We are incredibly fortunate to have Kenny Rose Butts so truthfully and accurately chronicle our life and times.

- Michael Garcia, A Guy Who Trips Out on the World

"And Howls for us to Follow" celebrates the love and nostalgia of life. The great sea that can divide us is easily transversed through his masterful use of language which allows one to celebrate a reunion with sweet Sunny Rays. Perched at the edge of the world, sheltered from storms, this poetry is a sanctuary of hope.

- Scott Diehl, Poetry Lover

"And Howls for us to Follow" reveals the larger picture! It lyrically ushers me onto a new plane of thinking and allows me to reevaluate myself and the world around me with awakened eyes. The lessons contained in each poem about the human condition are invaluable and have shown me a path to a deeper and more enlightened existence in this unpredictable and chaotic world.

- Robby Simmons, Listener of Kenny Rose Butts

Back when I was a bitchy, self centered, yuppy-wanna-be, I thought that Kenny was kinda, well, just a weird dude. But as I become enlightened, I see Kenny and his poetry as they truly are: Just some really cool and inspiring shit.

- S. Diana Garcia, Ex-Bitch, Tired Mom, Goddess-in-Training.

This unusual yet captivating collection of poems takes the reader on a journey of relationships, and attempts to illustrate how we as humans relate to the world around us; to each other, the animals of nature, tame and wild, and on into the world of politics and war. Ultimately, the poems offer us insight into what makes us so unique. Each poem is an entity unto itself, evoking a variety of emotion, of whimsy, somber reflection, joy, and a love for nature. Each poem is captivating in its own way, each bringing to mind a visual interpretation and provoking thought. This reader is not an expert on poetry, indeed, rarely reads it, but the author's style and subject matter drew this novice into the world of poetry in a subtle manner, creating a different world as seen through many different sets of eyes. But it was the last stanza of the last poem, "And Howls for us to Follow", which most captivated this reader/reviewer - Coyote, standing in reality, watches… then Slips through a loophole in these worlds And howls for us to follow And howls for us to follow. If only we could, for the world of the coyote in Mr. Butts' poem beckons to the need and desire in all of us. This collection is a stunning treat for the senses, the poetry pieces of work that will linger long after the book is set down. Make a permanent place for it on the shelf.

- Denise M. Clark, Author/Book Reviewer

I admit this anthology of poetic - almost dissonant - chords is not going to be music to the ears of everyone. It's strange...but fascinating as hell. If one reads these poems WISELY one might come to realize that they are more than just personal refrains from a poet of the political imagination (as some have implied). I say this because if we posit that the language of poetry is a deeply connotative language, we cannot help but conclude that Kenny Rose Butts' sometimes bruising-yet always heated-poetry is a clearly invented rhythmical device designed to reveal our nation's condition as one of severe hypocrisy, thoughtlessness, subjugation...and even misery. His choice of literal and connotative words and subjects function as a signifier of this national condition, allowing him to more readily expose to his readers the oft abstract relationship between colonizer and colonized, between dissident and flag-waver, and between friend and foe in a particularly adept and bizarre depiction. Good stuff here, folks. Give it a read. Then give it some THOUGHT.

- Marcia Green, Amazon.com Book Reviewer

Not your typical poetry: This is a book of poetry that has been broken down into sections. The author, Kenny Rose Butts, has written poems involving love, animals, politics, and even environmental issues.

I admit to finding myself lost and floundering in confusion in a few of them, but only because I did not know enough about the subject/topic in the poem. Others struck deep chords within me and found myself rereading them.

This is NOT the type of poetry book that you can sit down and read through for fun. Instead you will find yourself reading only a few poems each in several different sittings because the poems will force you to think and possibly see the topics in a different way. Deep subjects and good reading here.

- Detra Fitch, Book Reviewer

The aptly named"And Howls For Us To Follow - A Book of Poems," by Kenny Rose Butts examines humanity at it's most terrible. From human relationships to animals ones, from the environment to the political stage, Kenny Rose Butt's poetry leaves no stone unturned.

This is a book that you pick up with anticipation and put down with trepidation, for the words of this poet cannot fail to strike at the heart. The words might be disagreed with and may be contentious, but if this is the case, then the author has achieved his aims - to make us stop and think and to question, always question.

Read these poems more than once, for with each rereading the surface begins to fragment and a deeper purpose reveals itself. Masterfully composed, the author's play on words will leave you marveling. There is always that "one line" in a poem that slaps the face, and forces a mental note…a memorable line that once read, your mind never forgets. This book has plenty of them.

"And Howls For Us to Follow," asks us to face the issues of the world, to analyze our very being, to question our methods, to examine our souls, but it asks us with words of compassion, hope and understanding, a compelling brew indeed.

- Elizabeth Batt, Book Reviewer

Journeying through Kenny Rose Butts’ poetry, And Howls for us to Follow, is an experience of both enlightenment and splendor. For those seeking a refuge from the mundane happenings of day-to-day life, this book would be apropos.

One can easily, when fully appreciating, get lost in the word art Butts created. With an air of enchantment and a sprinkling of mystique, readers glide weightlessly page by page.

With each poem dated, it gives the aura of discovering a hidden poetry journal. While journals take on many sizes, shapes and purposes, this book reviewer found poetry journals to be one of the most expressive and revealing.

Without throwing cause or caution to the wind, Kenny accurately and articulately shows true expressionism in these creative works. Read these again and again to truly discover, embrace and enable that which previously hindered. Read these again and again to truly clear the cob webs, blow way the dust and reveal that which was previously hidden.

- Jennifer Hollowell, Poet, Book Reviewer

"And Howls For Us To Follow" is a poetry collection that will get inside your head and run rampant. These poems will echo in your mind at the oddest times, prompting you to evaluate the world around you. They will touch your soul and challenge it to fly with the forces of nature.

If you are looking for poetic device and mechanics, you will find plenty here. Butts shows skill in manipulating his words and lines for maximum effect. Whether you like metaphors and similes or assonance and near rhyme, you will find several examples in this book. But if what you like is an in-your-face poem that makes you think about the world and state of humanity, this collection cannot be topped! If you are drawn to visual poetry, you will be astounded by Butts' use of the lines to reinforce his words.

Overall, this book is composed of protest poetry of the finest form. Butts addresses the large game farm preserves of Montana, test tube babies, organ donation, threatened habitats, and so much more. He basically puts modern life under a microscope. He has a knack for spinning the words to achieve a dual-edged sword. The poems have double meaning and apply in a narrow sense or in the universal 'bigger picture.'

The layout of the book adds to the profound effect. Butts inserts the title poem, "And Howls for us to Follow," as an epilog. This poem relates how the author feels 'like the suburban coyote.' He views the world and our state of affairs from the coyote's eyes. It leaves you with a haunting image: 'Coyote, standing in reality, watches them then slips through a loop hole in these worlds and howls for us to follow''

This poem makes you question how we can find a loop hole in the state of the world and begin to change things. How do we get out of the mess we have made of our world? Long after you have put this book away, the image of this coyote will haunt you.

This is one of the most powerful poetry manuscripts I have read. This guy ranks right up there with the masters! He is good! I suspect that in 50 years, his work will be taught in every English classroom as one of the great 'classics.' He has documented our world at the beginning of this millennium for future generations. He has not attempted to sugarcoat anything. Instead, he has painted the picture with accurate bleakness! I hope you will all read this book. It hits home.

- Alicia Karen Elkins, Author, Writer, Book Reviewer
Reprinted from "Gotta Write Network Online"

Having read and contemplated this unusual and exceptional collection of poetry, I tend to see the poetry of Kenny Rose Butts as lessons in awareness, urging and pulling me ever-closer to wisdom and enlightenment. In a sometimes dark world, the poetry in "And Howls for us to Follow" enlightens us by literally shedding light on everything we as humans need to know to live a purposeful life and to transcend. All knowledge, all wisdom and all truth already exists for us to discover. That Kenny's poetry brings us into awareness of these virtues is what sets this poetry apart from the rest. That Kenny does so with selflessness, gentleness and love indicates that he is a true Nagual in the same vein as Carlos Castaneda, Dan Millman and Don Miguel Ruiz.

I would recommend this poetry collection to poetry lovers and "Beatnik" specialists, including Ginsberg enthusiasts ("And Howls" versus "Howl"). I would also exhort students of philosophy and political science to examine this book. There is plenty of logic and political truth here to cut your teeth on. Mostly, however, I would recommend this book to anyone on a spiritual path. It is truly a poetic textbook for seeing "things" and issues with a clearer eye.

- "The Wild Pony," Amazon.com Reviewer

Amazing! I just finished reading And Howls for us to Follow and thought the prose was inspiring, and superb cultural observation and commentary. Truly thought-provoking!

- Dr. Gary E. Erkfritz, Amazon.com Reviewer

It is safe to say that the attacks on 9/11 began the age of fanatical politics. You’re either on one side or the other, and there’s no hope of an in-between. Using his amazing talent of word-twisting and beat-finding, Butts gives us a look inside what he considers to be happening around us. With his collection of poems that skip back and forth through the 1990s and 2000s, Butts has compiled a massive load of intoxicating rhythms and language that makes even an English major like me covet his talent. Going through the relationships of man, animal, and war (which takes up nearly half the book itself), Butts offers us a look at one view of the world and what is happening around us now.

Instead of going on and on about how much I will treasure this book for as long as I’m able to comprehend it, I’d like to share a tidbit of one of his many poems.

From “Screeeeech”:

“...Electromagnetic bombardment, satellite saturation, egocentric infatuation
protected speech is reigning down on me
protected by the Telecommunications Act of 1996
the FCC says, sí, sí, to the ATT’s
but what about me
microwave me, raise me up one degree Celsius or elsius!
It’s sí, sí, to Globestar but not you and me...”

Butt’s style reminds me of the way a rap is formulated with the constant beat-driven rhyming that, if done well, is as powerful as a shock to the brain. It is full of political views that are liberal in ideology, but regardless of what I disagree or agree with, this book is worth keeping in the treasured pile. His talent as a poet and liberalist are definitely something to be respected and not scoffed at.

- Carisa Weeaks, Book Reviewer
Reprinted from "MyShelf.Com"