I’m gonna keep this short.
Because Cletus Crow likes to keep things short.
We don’t usually do poets here, but Cletus Crow isn’t a poet. He’s a Buddhist monk who refused his vow of silence.
But still likes a lot of silence.
Also because Cletus Crow once published a short story here, a story that begins with the line “Steve wants to fuck after reading my poetry about penises,” so even though you might call Cletus Crow a poet, you might not have known that Cletus Crow also writes auto-fiction about his penis poetry.
But mostly because Cletus Crow is for everyone.
Because Cletus Crow is a Buddhist monk genius from Tennessee.
If you haven’t already done so, take this moment to purchase his new book Flying High. It is basically the bible. The bible according to a Buddhist monk genius from Tennessee.
So far as I know, Cletus Crow is not actually Buddhist, but his writing feels like it comes straight from Buddha, a pornographic, Jesus-fixated skinny Buddha.
Flying High (New Ritual Press) is the best book I’ve read since I read his book Jesus Freak (Pig Roast Publishing) which was the best book I read since I read Phallic Symbols (Pig Roast Publishing), which was the greatest book I’ve read since I read 99 Poems by Sam Pink.
And Sam Pink is also my hero. So that’s saying a lot.
Last year I read from Sam Pink’s 99 Poems every day.
This year I’ve read Cletus Crow every day.
I am an unrepentant 47-year-old Cletus Crow fanboy (case in point: my twitter pome as stan ode).
So you can(‘t) trust me when I say, Flying High is his best book yet. Which is saying a lot. Because Phalic Symbols and Jesus Freak were my bible for the six months before Flying High came out and I purchased a copy.
Reading Cletus Crow is a religious experience for people who think religion needs more pornography and scatological humor.
Flying High is the best book ever to put by your toilet and read a little every time you poo or pee or masturbate—dealer’s choice.
This intro has gone on too long. Because I am no Cletus Crow. Because nobody can be Cletus Crow, but also because I get too excited when I tell people about Cletus Crow, so sorry, Cletus, I tried to make this short, but I failed you, because as you know, I am not you.
Anyway, here is an interview with Cletus Crow if you need more reason to buy his books, which you shouldn’t, but if you do, here you go:
BKD: Why Cletus Crow?
CC: I like the name Cletus. I love crows/corvids/other birds. I’ve lived in the South all my life. Cletus is a name many folks, especially those in places like LA and NY, associate with being a redneck/yokel. The name makes light of and acknowledges my roots in opposition to more classic, academic and/or urban literary circles. It’s also whimsical and kinda silly. I’m very low-brow sometimes. I make gross stupid jokes and enjoy hearing them. Most people I know who aren’t my family or day job colleagues call me Cletus.
BKD: It seems like you got some Jesus issues, Cletus.
CC: I love reading the Bible. It’s the most important work of literature, art and history ever imo. Spirituality is something I struggle with though, for many reasons. More like a wrestling match than a problem. Portions of my poetry book Jesus Freak are about that.
BKD: While we’re at it: Daddy issues or Mommy issues?
CC: I believe I have healthy relationships with my family, immediate and extended, as of now. My issues are usually the results of my own obsessions, neuroses, lusts, loves and gluttony.
BKD: What’s your favorite joke?
CC: It’s a Far Side comic. The mob puts Styrofoam shoes on a fish.
BKD: Has anyone ever told you you talk too much?
CC: I can’t remember anyone telling me I talk too much. I have been told I don’t talk enough. Folks ask if I’m mad or having a bad time at parties. I’m probably not. I’m just chillin.
BKD: Who was the first writer you read where you were like, Fuck, I want to do that?
CC: I read Catcher in the Rye in high school. I was an overly emotional teenager who thought everything was phony. Then I read some poems.
BKD: If we were to make a Cletus Crow pie, what would be the ingredients?
CC: Cletus Crow pie would just be chess pie. I know I’m supposed to answer the question as like “a teaspoon of wit, a sprinkle of melancholy” or something. But chess pie is my favorite pie so I really want to be chess pie.
BKD: What are some fun facts about crows (besides the fact that a group is called a murder)?
CC: My favorite crow fact is that they recognize faces. Sometimes they hold grudges. But some bond closely with humans. Some also write poems.
BKD: What are your favorite memories of farm animals?
CC: My first job was working on a small family-owned goat farm. I was 15. I took care of 13 goats during the day. One of my favorite goats, Princess Butterscotch, gave birth to the cutest kid. Another goat, Cheryl, got super jealous when Butterscotch gave birth. Cheryl would kind of nip and kick at the kid until Butterscotch got wise and kicked her ass goat style. Cheryl was better behaved in general after that and it was thanks to another goat. It was a good life lesson.
BKD: Who you reading?
CC: I’m reading four books at the time of this interview. Catullus: Selected Poems translated by Stephen Mitchell, Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin, A Childhood by Harry Crews, The Complete Poems of Louise Glück.
BKD: If I were to visit you in Tennessee what would you do to show me a good time?
CC: Maybe just drink in a field. Some friends of mine have a skeet thrower. Maybe we could shoot some pigeons and drink in a field after.
BKD: Dolly or Elvis?
CC: Dolly
BKD: Cock or balls? Labia majora or minora?
CC: Everything.
BKD: What are you getting your nut off on these days?
CC: Idk. Hot people for the most part.
