Book excerpt: The poems in BLACK STEEL MAGNOLIAS IN THE HOUR OF CHAOS THEORY interrogate identity, family, loneliness, and the expectations of masculinity. Using dreams, blues, and a chorus of voices, this collection of poems examines the complexities of intimacy for an adopted person trying to find balance between two families--one rattled by age and illness; the other, holding space for a son that doesn't exist. Poetry. Second Edition.