Poems for Lovers

A Hundred Lovers, a captivating collection of erotic poems, emerges from the pen of a rising star in the American poetry scene, the author of the highly acclaimed Second Empire. This poetic work consciously and subversively echoes the timeless sonnets of Shakespeare, cementing Hofmann's position as one of the essential poets of erotic desire, as described by Pulitzer Prize–winning author Jericho Brown.

The poems within A Hundred Lovers catalogue a diverse range of encounters, from the sublime to the steamy and the frank. Inspired by the French literary tradition of autofiction, these verses feel both sharp and diaristic, inviting the reader into an intimate, lyrical world where everyday scenes are imbued with the essence of sexuality. As the speaker observes, "Eros enters, where shame had lived," as the poems explore the themes of risk and appetite, promiscuity and violence, and, in the wake of the poet's own marriage, questions surrounding monogamy and desire.

Throughout the collection, Hofmann seamlessly weaves together the carefully knotted silk ties of the wedding pair and their undress, presenting a series of Hockney-like interiors where passion infuses every object. The poet speaks plainly of the saliva, tears, and visceral elements of the carnal, just as he does of the sublime in works of art, creating a captivating juxtaposition.

A Hundred Lovers invites the reader to consider their own memories of pleasure and pain, which fill the generous white space the poet leaves open between his ravishing lines. The poems evoke a sense of vulnerability and raw honesty, drawing the reader into a deeply personal exploration of the complexities of human desire and the intimate moments that define the human experience.

Hofmann's poetic voice is both lyrical and unflinching, seamlessly blending the sensual and the cerebral, the earthly and the ethereal. This collection stands as a testament to the author's mastery of the poetic form, offering a profound and unapologetic examination of the multifaceted nature of love, lust, and the human condition.

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