Walt Whitman and William Wordsworth felt poetry should be about every day people and events. They also felt poetry did not have to be slave to the 18th century rhythm and rhyme. This is called free verse poetry, and Charles Bukowski also implores writers to get to the point as quickly as possible. Geist's Bottom of the Food Chain has poetry and anecdotes dealing with places he grew up in, jobs he has had, religious experiences, 12 step recovery, politics, teaching, ministry, relationships, dating, shaving, Allentown Pa, and many other topics. The pieces are funny, thought provoking and intriguing.