The poems in Pax Americana are born out of the violent, fractious, and disillusioning opening to the 21st century. The decade of protracted wars and economic collapse—coupled with the polarizing of wealth and ideologies in this country—create the catalysts for this book. These are social poems that want to talk, and through talking hopefully make a space where people can meet and find meaning in each other.

PAUL OTREMBA is the author of the poetry collection The Currency (Four Way Books 2009). He earned his MFA from the University of Maryland and a PhD in creative writing and literature from the University of Houston. Paul is currently an Assistant Professor of English at Rice University in Houston, TX.