Jane Rosenberg LaForge writes lots of of short stories, personal essays, and poetry. There’s a poem in here called, “Before Elton John Was a Faggot.” I wonder if the woke mob came for her after that one.
“With Apologies…” is dark, depressing, cynical, and beautiful. The author’s poems remind me of dreams and nightmares that are so disturbing and intense they stay with you all day.
I read “With Apologies…” twice, all the way through. I read some poems three or four times. I wanted to see if reading it over and over would uncover new or different feelings I hadn’t experienced the first time around.
My favorite poems in this collection are “Doctor Appleman’s Rest,” “My Father’s Teeth,” and “School Field Trip.” My own father’s teeth were the topic of many conversations I had with friends growing up (“Hey Sarah, does your dad have wooden teeth?”), so maybe that’s why I was partial to that one. I also loved part 3 of “Hemingway’s Rot.” I think I enjoyed these poems the most because LaForge writes with a blunt and clear voice.
Many poems in the second part of the book called “All Women” hint of troubling and intense memories and experiences with her children, parents, and sister. Some of these poems are difficult to read because they are very dark and intense.
I really enjoyed With Apologies to Mick Jagger, Other Gods, and All Women and I hope you like it, too!
Other books by Jane Rosenberg LaForge include:
What were your favorite poems in this book?
Last Updated on December 2, 2025 by Sarah Ann
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