THE MOST HONEST SYLLABLE IS SHHH available now from NightBallet Press.

This chapbook contains 23 new poems. Here’s what the experts had to say:

Who else would hand you dreadlocks, a harmonica, and an underspiced tostada? Tim Staley’s gift for playful juxtaposition is on joyful display in The Most Honest Syllable is Shah. In one collection, he throws you a giant squid, a barfing beagle, and someone named Mud Shark. A beer, a blowtorch, and an insult to opera’s pants. Staley drops zen koans into camping stories, and investigates deep divides of gender and class alongside daily dilemmas. His poems are as likely to consider the cosmic—does space smell like searing meat, pine trees, or cherries?—as the domestic: “Certainly I rinsed the vegetables.” In these pieces, the oldest poetic impulses to praise and mourn and cry out meet and marry the off-kilter collage and the party anecdote. Kick off your flip-flops and relax around the campfire with your new, tender-hearted, wacky and wise friend, Tim Staley.

– Dorine Jennette, author of Urchin to Follow

The Most Honest Syllable is Shhh by Tim Staley might just become your new best friend.  Take it with you to the bowling alley.  Take it with you to the beach.  Take it with you to the bar.  Take it with you to your grandma’s house.  These poems are fun, friendly, generous, and sincere.

-Kyle Flak, author of I am Sorry for Everything in the Whole Entire Universe

Poem by Tim Staley. Video adaptation by Quentin Staley.

The circus is in town. One night only. Mr. Johnny Huerta, live and in person, for the first time ever in Las Cruces. Thursday, February 23, 7:30 PM, Art Obscura, Mesilla Park, New Mexico. Tim Staley and Danny Graves will provide support. Mr. Huerta’s debut collection of poetry will be on sale for 14$, cash, credit or trade. With questions contact grandmamosespress@gmail.com