Los Angeles, California Apr 23, 2026 (Issuewire.com) - Vincent J. Tomeo’s poetry chapbook The Usefulness of Hippopotamus: A Humorous Chapbook for Trying Times presents humor as a meaningful and restorative force during periods of uncertainty and personal struggle. Written during the COVID-19 pandemic, the collection reflects a period when Tomeo was navigating serious health challenges while intentionally choosing laughter, beauty, and creative expression as sources of resilience.
The chapbook centers on the idea that humor is not frivolous, but essential. Through concise, playful, and often unexpected poems, Tomeo highlights everyday moments that invite levity, reflection, and emotional release. Even the hippopotamus, an unlikely poetic subject, becomes a symbol of joy and perspective. The poems emphasize how wit and observation can soften anxiety, encourage hope, and create space for healing during difficult times.
The Usefulness of Hippopotamus is shaped by Tomeo’s long-standing literary career and his belief that humor can coexist with seriousness and depth. Rather than minimizing hardship, the collection acknowledges it directly while offering readers moments of lightness and balance. The work speaks to readers seeking poetry that is approachable, human, and grounded in lived experience.
Vincent J. Tomeo is a poet, archivist, historian, and community activist with more than three decades of experience as an educator in New York City public schools. His work has appeared in numerous national and international publications, and his poetry has received wide recognition, including international honors and public commemorations. To date, Tomeo has published more than one thousand pieces across journals, anthologies, and newspapers worldwide.
Featured as part of the Olympus Story House display during the LA Times Festival of Books 2026, held on April 18–19, 2026, at the University of Southern California, The Usefulness of Hippopotamus: A Humorous Chapbook for Trying Times continues to stand out as a thoughtful and uplifting work that reflects the enduring value of humor in times of challenge.
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