"In The old Ambassador and Other Poems, Wayne Courtois gives the reader a sense of the queer experience in America from the onset of the HIV epidemic to current times. This collection displays a mastery of making the personal universal. So often these poems could slip into sentimentality, rants, and political diatribe, but instead Courtois keeps the reader in the poem and, by default, in the poetic moment. His lexicon is often surprising, and his measured use of poetics is sly - opting for slant and internal rhyme instead of predictable hard end rhymes. Whether one flies a rainbow flag or wants to understand better those who do, this collection fills the reader with all of the splendor of being human in a world where one's inclinations towards love can still be opposed, violently, by the dimmest misinformed minds."
- Shawn Pavey, author, Survival Tips for the Pending Apocalypse
If you're looking for a light read, The Old Ambassador and Other Poems by Wayne Courtois is not for you. In this collection, Courtois simultaneously paints an elaborate portrait of and gives voice to an oppressed, undervalued, and essential part of our society. Bigotry and discrimination are tackled in these poems, but never given the forefront; the poet deftly highlights the injustices without succumbing to the elusive dangers of diatribe.
At its core, this book is about love and togetherness. Sometimes that is shown in traditionally idyllic ways, other times Courtois admits, "it felt good to hit things together." Though love is at the center of this book, the poet never steers the reader too far into the land of fairytale, but instead reminds us that "Only the hooker down/the hall guarantees/a happy ending." As bleak as that sentiment may be, only a few lines later we are told to "never forget/we love each other." In "Heteronormative Bar-B-Q Sandwich," the reader is treated to brilliant comparison of two couples and their varied acceptance by the outside word. "City of No Return" is a tour-de-force of a poem documenting the rise and fall of a relationship, and the life after the fall.
Of course, the centerpiece of the book is the epic "The Old Ambassador," which is roughly half of the collection. This long piece gives the reader a vivid glimpse of a building, a city, a life, and an entire section of our community and what they face on a daily basis. Right away Courtois grabs the reader with expert lines like, "Have you ever grabbed a/doorknob that's been painted/Over? It's like shaking hands/with a ghost." As heavy as this piece (and the book as a whole) is, the poet deftly weaves in snippets of humor: "As usual,/every cloud looks like a/penis."
Ultimately, Wayne Courtois new book is a masterpiece of bombastic understatement, a call to arms, a soothing lullaby, and a love letter and a middle finger to a city. But in the end, The Old Ambassador and Other Poems expertly proves to us that "We're all in this together."
-James Benger, author of From the Back
"THE OLD AMBASSADOR AND OTHER POEMS is a singularly impressive achievement. These poems whisper with poignancy, with broken promises and old sadness. Yet at the same time, they uplift us. The attention to detail is rich, yet grounded in the everyday--in the broken concrete, cracked paint, and heat that pervade these lines and verses. These are not poems to read in a few short moments and then forget; these poems will haunt you. And that's a good thing. I've followed the writings of Wayne Courtois for a long while, and with this new book I can truly say -- I am in awe."
-Robin Wayne Bailey, Swords Against the Shadow Dance
