If Nothing

6,'This world expects a man/to prove that he exists, ' Nienow writes in his second collection, a meditation on masculinity that grapples with alcoholism, recovery and the deep yearning for forgiveness.-New York Times Book ReviewDon't start Matthew Nienow's new collection, If Nothing unless you can finish it. These poems, just as captivating as they are devastating, begin in a dark place. With lines strafed with self-reproach, Nienow wrestles with addiction, suicidal depression, and the agony of wanting to be a better father. ... This is an arduous journey very much worth taking.-Ron Charles, Washington Post Book ClubUnflinching and tender, this volume affirms Nienow's distinctive poetic gifts.-Publisher's Weekly, Starred Review