Love/Sick/American is a collection of twenty-three unabashed love (& heartbreak) poems. On a subterranean level it asks what does it mean to be an American today. In the wings of the poem is sickness of the body. I want the poems to be accessible, to speak clearly as possible: these are the ways in which I have fallen in love, these are the ways in which I was dishonest with my heart, these are the ways in which I was made sick, & the ways in which I am coming to terms with my Americanness. I hope that this chapbook shapes the lives of those who read it by communicating, in the words of one of my favorite artist, “Love is still possible in this junky world…don’t be a quitter…Love is still possible, love is still possible.” For what else is there besides the arduous work of championing care? What else is there of substance besides love? (Oh Lord, here comes the poet.) But really, what else is there?
- xo, william

Forthcoming at Black Lawrence Press | March 16th, 2027