As an Italian-American, and born-and-bred Jersey girl, I am generally both fascinated and offended by Jersey Shore. Yet, what I do love is the intersection of pop culture and poetry. Pop culture-related art and poetry offers both accessibility and a readable analysis of our mainstream culture.

That’s why I was really excited to come across Michael Cirelli’s book of poetry, Everyone Loves the Situation, inspired by the reality TV show. Rhode Island-born, Brooklyn-based Cirelli is the Executive Director of Urban Word NYC, and can list appearances on Def Poetry Jam and praises from Kanye West for his book, Lobster with Ol’ Dirty Bastard, among his achievements. (Pretty cool stuff!) Continue reading →