“Several virtues are embodied in the poems that constitute Christie Max Williams’ debut collection, The Wages of Love. They consistently exhibit a discerning command of craft that makes each poem soar. They’re also informed by empathy, vision, the courage to take on a variety of subjects in a variety of styles, and a tenacious commitment to always feel more deeply, look longer, wrestle with the inarticulate angel until dawn. Again and again, there’s sheer delight in following the movement of Williams’ especially curious mind as each poem creates — uncovers – meaning. Besides they’re chockablock with inventive turns in dozens of linguistic ways; each is a boon and a blessing. Take up this book and give yourself to it. You will gain, as I have, from these wise, sensitive, splendidly written poems.”

“With The Wages of Love, Christie Max Williams offers us a stunning debut collection of poems. Finely crafted and deeply felt, the book is a harvest of richly remembered and embellished moments whose nature includes inquiry, affirmation, passion, tender remorse, wistful encounter, honest compassion, wise joy. At home with narrative as well as with lyric reflection, Williams fully inhabits his poems with mellow humor and pleasure, without shirking the darker imponderables and challenges that come with learning to be fully human, or as he puts it, learning to be a “good man.” This is a good man, and a good poet. How do we live, knowing that we will die? This ages-old question, though never asked directly in the book, may be central to these poems, which answer this way: we love. And the wages of love? More life: a tenderness toward existence, with all its endings and new beginnings. ”