The Usefulness of Hippopotamus by Vincent J. TomeoA smirking wink and a nostalgic sigh all at once, The Usefulness of Hippopotamus: A Humorous Chapbook for Trying Times by Vincent J. Tomeo is a wry and raw collection that tugs at the petty and profound pieces of human nature in equal measure. From the validation of reading one’s poetry to a dog and relatable maternal guilt trips to playfully provocative tangents and astute observations in experimental forms, this collection gleams with whimsy and wisdom. Written during the pandemic in the midst of his own health crisis, this sometimes laugh-out-loud collection is a tangential and vulnerable offering from a formative time for us all, distinguished by the author’s recognizable observations and unique perspective on health and renewal.