Welcome to EricDavidLough.com !
"AS I ROAR DOWN THE ASPHALT IN THE BACK OF A TRUCK, MILKING THE MOUNTAIN TO FLUSH ITS TEARS, HEARING IMPAIRED, IT'S TIME FOR YOU TO FLEE, FIRE FROM EARTH, I NO LONGER NEED THE KEYS, MY GAME BOARD IS TATTERED, I SET OUT AMONG THE SPEEDING FACES LOOKING IN AND SEE THEIR TEETH CLATTER, GO OUT MAN OF HOLY GRIME, AMBUSH THE ANCIENT CITIES." E.D.L
Reviews
" In Eric David Lough's first collection of writings, 'Lassoed With A Decorative Tongue' he throws off a strange pain intertwined with a great poetic mind. A true word furnace. Mr. Lough's poetry casts a shivering light that both inhales and exhales a startling breath. Mystical, profane, tender and erotic, 'Lassoed With A Decorative Tongue' is an angelic swim into the mind of an optimal poet."
----The Red Hand Review
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"As an actor, I pretend to know many things while truly knowing only what a writer gives me. Eric David Lough's words give artists a place to lavish in thought without the saccharin or necessary love. "
--Shannon Smith, Performing Artist, New York City
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"Eric David Lough's mind is a velvet mud puddle where naked words wrestle like giants and whores, and we the readers benefit from this glorious struggle."
--Cudra Clover.com
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"In a world where honesty and integrity have become the hallmarks of lying politicians and media dog packs mongrelize truth like a love letter to the hungry, Eric David Lough’s poetry is like mana to the soul of anyone lost for honest words.
Inspirational poetry is not the soul property of the learned and wise or the metaphysical pursuit of them privileged by birth, good fortune or status. Poetry belongs to those who have the courage to feel and to look at themselves with the compassion of a physician, and the mind of a comedian .
Lough writes;
I walk a different path
sometimes I wish destiny would
make me a hero
with a seraphim mind
a cherubim voice
I have an angelic birthright of
wanting to be wanted …
I am legend being born
mingling with the cosmic mumbling of god
my knees are scarred in his glory
some hearts are born strong
are born to illuminate the world
Excerpts from A Fool with Wise Words. © Eric David Lough
Here we find the hallmark honesty of Lough, with words powerfully placed in a way that creates in the reader a sense of being on that same path, the communion of travelers at the end of a long day, the sharing of the cup of existence.
Lough is a word smith par excellence;
unleashing words for all humanity
with no understanding as to why
the way they sound
like coupes racing in the stinging rain
or leaves
having a rotisserie of laughter in the wind
dinner
dessert
cognac among the fiasco
a true bloodshed from the pulpit.
Excerpt from Pandemonium on Rye © Eric David Lough
Great poets love words and with this gift they provoke to life images and experiences stored in some deep closet of the readers consciousness that have the familiarity of smoothing ones cheek against the cool faux fur of a loved coat long forgotten but all at once remembered.
Eric David Lough writes with a sensual honesty that provokes me to celebrate my humanity, to get up and live, to feel, to see the world, to relish the meandering of my soul and the paradoxes of me, myself and I, you, yourself and you.
Poetry is about a love affair with words and the journey of courageous souls. Eric David Lough is alive, he has traveled the side roads of existence, he is frighteningly honest. He is my favorite contemporary American poet."
I carry the description
of an uncouth romantic
voluptuously dammed
sunken like a spanish goldmine
in need of some discovery
Excerpt from Lingo Riots © Eric David Lough
Graham Hughes. August 2008
Graham Hughes aka Blind Poet is a ‘kiwi’ living in Denver. He is simply a dreamer
with his feet on the dusty road. www.theblindpoet.com
----The Red Hand Review
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"As an actor, I pretend to know many things while truly knowing only what a writer gives me. Eric David Lough's words give artists a place to lavish in thought without the saccharin or necessary love. "
--Shannon Smith, Performing Artist, New York City
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Eric David Lough's mind is a velvet mud puddle where naked words wrestle like giants and whores, and we the readers benefit from this glorious struggle."
--Cudra Clover.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"In a world where honesty and integrity have become the hallmarks of lying politicians and media dog packs mongrelize truth like a love letter to the hungry, Eric David Lough’s poetry is like mana to the soul of anyone lost for honest words.
Inspirational poetry is not the soul property of the learned and wise or the metaphysical pursuit of them privileged by birth, good fortune or status. Poetry belongs to those who have the courage to feel and to look at themselves with the compassion of a physician, and the mind of a comedian .
Lough writes;
I walk a different path
sometimes I wish destiny would
make me a hero
with a seraphim mind
a cherubim voice
I have an angelic birthright of
wanting to be wanted …
I am legend being born
mingling with the cosmic mumbling of god
my knees are scarred in his glory
some hearts are born strong
are born to illuminate the world
Excerpts from A Fool with Wise Words. © Eric David Lough
Here we find the hallmark honesty of Lough, with words powerfully placed in a way that creates in the reader a sense of being on that same path, the communion of travelers at the end of a long day, the sharing of the cup of existence.
Lough is a word smith par excellence;
unleashing words for all humanity
with no understanding as to why
the way they sound
like coupes racing in the stinging rain
or leaves
having a rotisserie of laughter in the wind
dinner
dessert
cognac among the fiasco
a true bloodshed from the pulpit.
Excerpt from Pandemonium on Rye © Eric David Lough
Great poets love words and with this gift they provoke to life images and experiences stored in some deep closet of the readers consciousness that have the familiarity of smoothing ones cheek against the cool faux fur of a loved coat long forgotten but all at once remembered.
Eric David Lough writes with a sensual honesty that provokes me to celebrate my humanity, to get up and live, to feel, to see the world, to relish the meandering of my soul and the paradoxes of me, myself and I, you, yourself and you.
Poetry is about a love affair with words and the journey of courageous souls. Eric David Lough is alive, he has traveled the side roads of existence, he is frighteningly honest. He is my favorite contemporary American poet."
I carry the description
of an uncouth romantic
voluptuously dammed
sunken like a spanish goldmine
in need of some discovery
Excerpt from Lingo Riots © Eric David Lough
Graham Hughes. August 2008
Graham Hughes aka Blind Poet is a ‘kiwi’ living in Denver. He is simply a dreamer
with his feet on the dusty road. www.theblindpoet.com
MIND CANDY By Starr Begley
Maui Time Weekly
Hot Stuff
Lassoed With A Decorative Tongue
I'm not sure if poet Eric David Lough from Lahaina is married. If he isn't, well...How should I put this? His poetry is extremely moving. And when I say moving, I mean erotic. And when I say erotic, I actually mean fricking hot. Lough actually sizzles. His descriptions are provocative and mesmerizing. Reading his words makes me feel like I'm on a sexy acid trip to a place where men are emotional and smart. 'Lassoed With A Decorative Tongue' is a superb collection of poetry by a man who obviously thinks, and thinks deep. Not just that, he has the ability to put those thoughts on the page in a way that makes me want to jump in bed with him and say, "Take me now and write about it later!" Not that it's all about sex--it's about life. But just so we're on the same page, here's a snippet from "To Simmer Silt," one of my favorite Lough poems: "...a field isn't absolutely grand unless it ejaculates exotic flowers and blows racecar winds..." I can see it and feel it. The whole book is like that.
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"At the Academy, I usually have the opportunity to personally meet poets and writers who come as guest speakers and lecturers. In this way, I get to listen to their words and buy a copy of their poems at the reading. This is always a treat. As a student, Eric David Lough read his early work at poetry readings at Kent State University Trumbull Campus with some success. His work appeared in ICON, KSUTC's award-winning magazine for literature and art, but that was quite some time ago. Clearly, he has spent these years honing his craft.
Since moving back to Hawaii, he has established his unique voice as a poet and as an artist in his collection Lassoed With A Decorative Tongue. The mix of imagery and language is as lavish as its themes--sex, love, women, and all that is good in the world. Most poems in the Academy are so icy to the touch. Like a good lover, Lough's poetry gives more than it takes. He shares succulent images like "I saw her glancing/dancing like rock candy...legs that said grace...lips moving quick lick to the beat" in his poem "150 Dollars and 30 Seconds to Rest." Not just a collection of angelic beauties, coffee, smoke, jazz, and fine wine also grace the lines of Lough's work, especially in "To Simmer Silt." He plays with the mythological and the physical in "Semantical" and "Descent" and shares gems like "Lingo Riots." I have always felt it was important to hear a poet read his poems to truly appreciate his work. However, Lough's work speaks from its pages in clear tones of the erotic and the sublime. Enjoy!" 
Eric David Lough in Lassoed With A Decorative Tongue
seeks to bring Baudelaire into the 21st century using symbolism and
free verse word swirls of titillating sweets. He often succeeds, but
nearly as often his images fall like flies zapped with bug spray.
Still, I give him credit for the effort. On the back jacket of his
book, which I must say is a cleverly packaged product with a finely
crafted front cover, he borrows a quote from Baudelaire in a very
fitting tribute:
Lough likes the short line, and the one word line in particular, which I think he overuses to the detriment of a sound device. He is at his best when he writes in the minimal mode. When he drifts into longer verse he tends to get wordy and hackneyed. Many of his lines are flat out fabulous, but most of those are stuck in the midst of mediocrity, which makes it difficult to truly enjoy most of the poems of the collection.
A bit more discipline and a lot more cut-throat self editing could carve Lough into an excellent poet. He's got the imagination. He just needs the scythe.
---World Class Poetry.com
Maui Time Weekly
Hot Stuff
Lassoed With A Decorative Tongue
I'm not sure if poet Eric David Lough from Lahaina is married. If he isn't, well...How should I put this? His poetry is extremely moving. And when I say moving, I mean erotic. And when I say erotic, I actually mean fricking hot. Lough actually sizzles. His descriptions are provocative and mesmerizing. Reading his words makes me feel like I'm on a sexy acid trip to a place where men are emotional and smart. 'Lassoed With A Decorative Tongue' is a superb collection of poetry by a man who obviously thinks, and thinks deep. Not just that, he has the ability to put those thoughts on the page in a way that makes me want to jump in bed with him and say, "Take me now and write about it later!" Not that it's all about sex--it's about life. But just so we're on the same page, here's a snippet from "To Simmer Silt," one of my favorite Lough poems: "...a field isn't absolutely grand unless it ejaculates exotic flowers and blows racecar winds..." I can see it and feel it. The whole book is like that.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"At the Academy, I usually have the opportunity to personally meet poets and writers who come as guest speakers and lecturers. In this way, I get to listen to their words and buy a copy of their poems at the reading. This is always a treat. As a student, Eric David Lough read his early work at poetry readings at Kent State University Trumbull Campus with some success. His work appeared in ICON, KSUTC's award-winning magazine for literature and art, but that was quite some time ago. Clearly, he has spent these years honing his craft.
Since moving back to Hawaii, he has established his unique voice as a poet and as an artist in his collection Lassoed With A Decorative Tongue. The mix of imagery and language is as lavish as its themes--sex, love, women, and all that is good in the world. Most poems in the Academy are so icy to the touch. Like a good lover, Lough's poetry gives more than it takes. He shares succulent images like "I saw her glancing/dancing like rock candy...legs that said grace...lips moving quick lick to the beat" in his poem "150 Dollars and 30 Seconds to Rest." Not just a collection of angelic beauties, coffee, smoke, jazz, and fine wine also grace the lines of Lough's work, especially in "To Simmer Silt." He plays with the mythological and the physical in "Semantical" and "Descent" and shares gems like "Lingo Riots." I have always felt it was important to hear a poet read his poems to truly appreciate his work. However, Lough's work speaks from its pages in clear tones of the erotic and the sublime. Enjoy!"
-Jim Canacci Professor of English
Kent State University Trumbull Campus
Poetry Book Review:
Lassoed With A Decorative Tongue
by Eric David Lough
Eric David Lough in Lassoed With A Decorative Tongue
seeks to bring Baudelaire into the 21st century using symbolism and
free verse word swirls of titillating sweets. He often succeeds, but
nearly as often his images fall like flies zapped with bug spray.
Still, I give him credit for the effort. On the back jacket of his
book, which I must say is a cleverly packaged product with a finely
crafted front cover, he borrows a quote from Baudelaire in a very
fitting tribute:
The poet is like the prince of clouds, who rides the tempest and scorns the archer. Exiled on the ground, amidst boos and insults, his giant wings prevent his walking."Taken from his poem "The Albatross", Baudelaire was likening poets to a bird that flies but what he's really saying is more akin to the metaphorical meaning of albatross, that poets are heavy burdens when at their best. It may mean to say that poets are both a blessing and a curse, able to free themselves of the burdens of ordinary men while burdening such even more with troubles beyond their dreams. If only Lough lived up to that expectation. Lassoed With A Decorative Tongue has its moments. There are some great lines and some good poems, but there are also miserable failures. Lough needs to heed the words of Oscar Wilde and spend more time pulling the weeds out of the garden of his words. At his worst, Lough tries too hard to contain the mysteries of life; at his best he shines like a gold watch. His erotic sensuality is delectable. Examine these words from "The One," easily one of the best poems in Lassoed:
All of his poems are not this sex-laden, but those that are might be his best. He also covers more mundane topics, but his word play is far from being common. Even reading the bad poems is like gawking at a surreal painting even if doing so as the canvas drips with wet paint.Mary
my bed head wake me up
my scone
my kona with cream
I wanna spank your ass
pull your hair
throw you into ecstasy
my blonde beauty full of innocence
my dirty little dream
pump my penis full of blood
pump it damn hard
pump it until it makes no sense
force me to shoot my lard on the coffee shop walls
across the wooden floors
make me have the best goddamn morning
than
I
ever
had
before.
Lough likes the short line, and the one word line in particular, which I think he overuses to the detriment of a sound device. He is at his best when he writes in the minimal mode. When he drifts into longer verse he tends to get wordy and hackneyed. Many of his lines are flat out fabulous, but most of those are stuck in the midst of mediocrity, which makes it difficult to truly enjoy most of the poems of the collection.
A bit more discipline and a lot more cut-throat self editing could carve Lough into an excellent poet. He's got the imagination. He just needs the scythe.
---World Class Poetry.com