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American Chapbooks: Reconfiguring Literary and Artistic Prestige
THE OUTRUN by Julie Alden Cullinane
A REVIEW
Title: THE OUTRUN
Author: Julie Alden Cullinane
Publisher: HOT BUTTON PRESS (an imprint of OPEN: Journal of Arts & Letters)
Year: 2025
ISBN: Not listed
Click on the title THE OUTRUN to explore or download the free PDF chapbook.
Click on the title A REVIEW to explore or download the PDF pamphlet/review.
Julie Alden Cullinane’s THE OUTRUN is a contemporary poetry collection that explores themes of womanhood, motherhood, trauma, and resilience. The opening poems immediately immerse the reader in a landscape of emotional honesty and vivid imagery, setting a tone that is both intimate and universal. Cullinane’s background as a Boston-based writer and HR executive, as well as her lived experience with CPTSD and neurodivergence, informs the collection’s depth and authenticity.
The collection is rich with meditations on family, memory, pain, and identity. Poems like “The Penny Dawn” and “The Summer That the Hawks Came” reflect on generational shifts, the passage of time, and the bittersweet nature of parenthood. Cullinane’s work often grapples with the complexities of relationships—between parents and children, between self and society, and between past and present.
Cullinane employs free verse, favoring conversational yet lyrical language. Her use of imagery is striking: “December’s gift / Is waking restless in the penny dawn / porch door open inches to fit your nose and eyes through / Breathing in the just-post snowstorm” captures both the physical and emotional landscape of her world. Metaphors abound, such as “Death is wearing her heavy boots, / being showy, stomping around, jigging and laughing, hiking up her red flamenco skirt as if God moves in her”. Cullinane’s poems are often structured around moments of revelation or confession, with enjambment and line breaks that heighten their emotional impact.
The collection is ordered to follow a loose narrative arc, beginning with reflections on the passage of time and moving through family history, personal trauma, and ultimately toward acceptance and renewal. The Table of Contents reveals a deliberate sequencing, with poems grouped by thematic resonance rather than strict chronology.
Cullinane’s poems are best understood through direct quotation.
For example:
“He is 17 in the glorious ways / he doesn’t understand the power of his youth / How it surrounds him like a halo, delicious and pompous / How I would devour it, take it from him if offered”.
And from “The Outrun”:
“Death is wearing her heavy boots, / being showy, stomping around, jigging and laughing, hiking up her red flamenco skirt as if God moves in her / Her secret is she visits all births / Celebrates in the corner”.
Julie Alden Cullinane’s poetry stands out for its raw honesty and willingness to confront difficult subjects. Compared to her previous chapbook, Ghosts Only I Can See, this collection expands its scope, offering more nuanced explorations of trauma and healing. Cullinane’s voice is distinctive among contemporary poets, blending personal narrative with broader social commentary. Her poems are accessible yet layered, inviting multiple readings.
THE OUTRUN is a powerful, evocative collection that will resonate with readers interested in poetry about family, identity, and survival. Cullinane’s work is especially recommended for those seeking poetry that balances emotional vulnerability with intellectual rigor. The collection’s structure and style make it suitable for both casual readers and those looking for in-depth analysis.
Click on the title THE OUTRUN to explore or download the free PDF chapbook.
Click on the title A REVIEW to explore or download the PDF pamphlet/review.
Image: I’m Sorry, Dave #9 (AI-assisted digital image) by O:JA&L staff creative. 2025. Public domain via MidJourney AI.
OJAL Art Incorporated, publishing since 2017 as OPEN: Journal of Arts & Letters (O:JA&L) and its imprints Buttonhook Press, HOT BUTTON PRESS Contemporary Issues, and HIGH BUTTON PRESS Contemporary Art, supports writers and artists worldwide.
BUTTONHOOK PRESS MASTERS SERIES
Click on the titles to explore or download the free PDF chapbooks.
The Buttonhook Press Masters Series: Brian Clements on Prose Poetry
With an Interview by Associate Editor Pamelyn Casto
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The Buttonhook Press Masters Series: Ray Gonzalez on Prose Poetry
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The Buttonhook Press Master Series: Michael Martone on Flash Fiction
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The Buttonhook Press Master Series: Roberta Allen on Flash Fiction
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The Buttonhook Press Master Series: Peter Conners on Flash Fiction
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The Buttonhook Press Masters Series: Maxine Chernoff on Prose Poetry
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The Buttonhook Press Masters Series: Pedro Ponce on Flash Fiction
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The Buttonhook Press Masters Series: Tom Hazuka on Flash Fiction
With an Interview by Associate Editor Pamelyn Casto
The Buttonhook Press Masters Series: Kent Dixon on Flash Fiction & Nonfiction
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With an interview by Associate Editor Warwick Newnham
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Click on the titles to explore or download the free PDF chapbooks.
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