I Must Be Living Twice: New and Selected Poems – Sardonic American Literary Voice from New York City's East Village

To read Eileen Myles is to step onto the sidewalk of a New York City that feels both feverish and intimately familiar. In this collection, the boundaries between the private self and the public landscape dissolve. These poems act as a chronicle of a life lived with open eyes and a guarded heart, mapping the intersections of queer identity, urban survival, and the persistent ache of desire. Myles writes with a sardonic wit that cuts through the noise of the East Village, offering a voice that is jagged, honest, and profoundly human. Whether she is reflecting on the ghosts of past lovers or the mundane grit of daily existence, her work captures the raw essence of what it means to be alive in a city that never stops moving. This volume brings together new pieces alongside selected favorites, creating a comprehensive portrait of a poet who has never apologized for being herself. If you are looking for poetry that refuses to sugarcoat the truth, that feels like a late-night conversation with a stranger who knows your secrets, this is your next essential read. It is messy, defiant, and beautifully, undeniably real.