Entomological catastrophes are rarely a source of poetic inspiration. Ditto Goldbach's prime number conjecture. Poet and spoken word artist Michele Battiste, however, is anything but a stodgy traditionalist. She is more likely to panegyrize her food processor than to lament the icy decisiveness of Death (the fact that one of her favorite hobbies is collecting epidemiological statistics on the world's major diseases notwithstanding). Her work is vivific, yet thoughtful; intellectual, yet sultry - one moment wizened and worldly, the next, purring with vernal allure. Additionally, Battiste's command of the English language is a marvel. Her verse is bursting with bewitching imagery and the rhythmic elegance of Latin jazz. And she can unfold a trope like a peacock's fan, revealing a staggering bounty of striking patterns and unexpected connections. As far as this (NY Times) critic is concerned, Battiste is a major talent. She's sure to become one of the true luminaries of American poetry in the 21st century.http://www.michelebattiste.com/