At its heart, TEACHING A MAN TO UNSTICK HIS TAIL is a book about relationships, both with those closest to us and with ourselves. As Allison Joseph, editor of CRAB ORCHARD REVIEW says, "Ralph Hamilton's poetry is a tapestry stitched from flesh and beauty, wound and salve. Words become electric through this poet's skin and mouth. This is a poetry of unflinching honesty, of pauses and silences and songs that leave the reader barely breathing. This book will make your hands and heart tremble."