I Went Into the Woods to Read Matthew McConaughey’s Poetry, and This Is What Happened

In our fraught modern world, poets are rarely celebrities. But celebrities sometimes get their poems published. Certain people (disgruntled scribblers) may scoff at this. What do Megan Fox, James Franco, and David Duchovny have to express in verse that’s so much more compelling than, say, the writings of Houston poet laureate Reyes Ramirez or Dallas poet laureate Mag Gabbert? Few scribes ever reach the lofty professional rung that allows them to enter “poet”on their tax forms rather than “poet who also bartends.” And now here comes Oscar-winning movie star, tequila purveyor, and University of Texas “professor of practice” Matthew McConaughey rhyming his way into what is sure to be prime real estate on the poetry shelf at your local bookstore.

McConaughey’s new book, Poems & Prayers