The Wrenching of the Hip That Precedes the Blessing

“Daniel Jones is a master at wordplay and emotional gut punches, with a punchline to make you think in almost every poem. These poems are not work for the reader, they are a rich dessert to savor and roll around the tongue. Each work leaves a sense of satisfaction and the ‘Oh, yes!’ that great poems conjure.”


—Julia Gordon-Bramer, author of Fixed Stars Govern a Life: Decoding Sylvia Plath





“The Wrenching of the Hip That Precedes the Blessing is both heartfelt and relatable as a poetry collection. Jones weaves together words that will inspire you while marveling at their clever combinations and metaphors. This deeply personal collection is one that will appeal to a wide spectrum of poetry enthusiasts. From the wordplay and imagery in ‘Scenes from the Hoosier Countryside’ to the passion and anguish of ‘The Wolves Who Refuse to Lie Down with the Lamb,’ there’s something for everyone in this collection.”


—Tiffany Renee Harmon, editor-in-chief of Ephemeral Elegies





“Throughout The Wrenching of the Hip, Daniel Jones takes the reader through disparate moods and references—a choice of interior paint color becomes a war-like battle of wits, robots pontificate on the meaning of artificial life, Mormons and prostitutes and sea monsters pass by as if they were nothing, a fat editor skips lunch. But through this diverse collection of images, there is a sacred sincerity to every word. Each poem reads almost like a prayer to the omnipresent deity through which all things came to be. And to those prayers, I say yes and amen.”


—Nathaniel FitzGerald, independent musician and writer, South Bend, Indiana





“In reading this delightful book, I found Daniel’s poetic voice to be poignant, eclectic, unique and diverse. The wide range of subject matter, emotions, and tone with which he writes is refreshing and enjoyably challenging. With each poem, I allowed myself pause for contemplation to play with the revelations offered, both secretive and exposed. Some poems I found to be like an ordinary apple bin in a barn; if you don’t take the time for more than a nonchalant glance, you will miss the out-of-place diamonds which he’s hidden there.”


—Nanci Stoeffler, expressionistic artist, Stoeffler Art Studio