“A haiku must be very simple and free of all poetic trickery and make a little picture and yet be as airy and graceful as a Vivaldi Pastorella,” wrote Jack Kerouac. And that’s exactly what C.A. Leibow accomplishes with his refreshingly simple and accessible poems that jog the imagination.

The local poet will read from his newest book In Praise of Small Things: American Haiku—a collection of poems inspired by love, winter and working at the state hospital. My personal favorite: “changing briefs golden gloves left hook takes me down” His poems are simple, sweet and accomplish exactly what Kerouac theorized—paint a tiny picture in one’s psyche.

As the co-founder of Cabaret Voltage—the monthly music, art and literature event at Nobrow Coffee—Leibow is no stranger to making poetry appealing to common folk, which can be tricky considering the hyperpersonal and cryptic nature of the art. The reading is followed by a signing of Small Things and other Leibow publications.

c.a. Leibow @ Ken Sanders Rare Books, 268 S. 200 East, 801-521-3819, Friday, July 31, 7 p.m. KenSandersBooks.com