Digital PDF copy of Joe Nasta's fifth poetry book. November 30, 2025.
A novel in verse about love, brotherhood, companionship, and life. Flip to a random poem when you need comfort, a sandwich, an apology, or bit of attention from American poetry's sweetest troublemaker.
Joe Nasta is vibing in Seattle. He has whispered five books of poetry and a collection of short stories into the world. Ze is an associate editor for Elizabeth Ellen's Hobart.
(friendship poems) by Joe Nasta
I don’t know how the world works
but I know the first moment
you really hear a new friend
say what they mean.
Not Echo. Not Molly Peacock’s BBQ.
When you sit down across from them
in the booth eating chicken wings and
the bone cracks
and you know something new about them?
When they can’t say how they feel but their
palm touches your neck when they pass.
When they can’t
give you what you want for the first time
but it’s not just okay, it’s wonderful to feel
their warmth. When they glance back at you
before showing
their apartment door lock key code. When
they can’t say how they feel but their mouth
shows you a version of it anyway. It’s enough.