Deadman

"Deadman is a book predicated on

the celebration of desolate beauty

and the fragility of its adherents.

Every line is as a sumi-e painting-

rich with compact images the

way deliberate poetry should be.

Ultimately, with his craft, Bill

Sheldon seems to be a careful,

erudite machinist and the nuts,

bolts, and washers he churns out

serve to fasten intimate personifi-

cation upon the lonesome air

surrounding the Deadman. In his

book, Sheldon's comradery with the

kenning turns isolation into a living

breathing entity with which to converse

and conspire. This is a powerfully relevant

commentary in Kansas and its literature."



-Matt Cooper, Poet and author of We 'til Death

Do Part (2021).




"Not only a fine (and funny) book of poems, but




a 'rise from the grave' tale about being, fame,




and all that can be found holy through rock




music. The last time I had this much fun




reading poetry was William Trowbridge's




Old Guy: Superhero. As with that, this




new book by William Sheldon




never disappoints. Spend an




hour. Rethink your life.




Then go live it. And




with added zest."









-Kevin Rabas,




Poet Laureate




of Kansas,




2017-2019,




Elizabeth's City