Body Works is a deeply human and refreshingly humorous collection of poems from Janet Cameron Hoult, Culver City's former Artist Laureate for Poetry. With wit, wisdom, and an unflinching eye, Hoult explores the experience of aging in today's world - from lymphedema to laughter, body betrayal to bionic knees, and personal loss to political resistance.
Divided into themed sections, the collection opens with poems chronicling medical adventures, body changes, and hospital humor, offering readers moments of empathy and recognition. In "Getting Older," Hoult turns her keen observations toward the quirks, questions, and quiet triumphs of late life. A moving section on grief honors lost loved ones and the enduring ache of absence, while "Politicians' Renditions" features sharp, satirical verses on civic life, public health, and social justice. The final section highlights poems from Hoult's peers and students, celebrating the community of writers and artists she has nurtured over the years.
This is poetry for real people: accessible, honest, and alive with feeling. Hoult's voice is never abstract - she writes with clarity, musicality, and often a healthy dose of mischief. Her style blends light verse, memoir, and community storytelling, grounded in her lived experiences as a teacher, artist, caregiver, and aging woman navigating a complex world.
Readers who are aging (or caring for someone who is), who value resilience, who crave humor in the face of hardship, or who simply enjoy poetry that speaks plainly and directly to life as it is - will find something to savor here. Body Works makes an especially meaningful gift for seniors, caregivers, and those navigating transitions with grace and grit.
Janet Cameron Hoult has published multiple volumes of poetry. A Fulbright Fellow, educator, and longtime Culver City resident, she served as Artist Laureate from 2015–2019. Her poetry has been featured in community events, senior centers, and classrooms throughout Southern California. With Body Works, Hoult offers her final and most comprehensive collection - a joyful, poignant, and purposeful celebration of life, loss, and the beautiful imperfection of the aging body.
