ABOUT THE BOOK

2010-04-30T01:15:00.000-07:00

Hush Up And Listen Stinky Poo Butt is a beautiful, yet stark portrait of fatherhood. For 10 years Ken Sparling made copies of this, his second novel, by hand (along with help from his wife and sons). Now this one of a kind novel is available as a paperback, with a new introduction by Derek McCormack (The Show That Smells, The Haunted Hillbilly) from Artistically Declined Press.

from Hush Up And Listen:

John got home. Sammy on the phone. In the kitchen. Playing Arthur Wheel. Ruth at the counter. By the sink. “Is it still busy?”

“Yes.”

“Try again.”

John went upstairs. Showered. Came back down. Ruth was at the door. “I’m leaving.” John looked. “I work tonight. I told you this morning.”

“Oh yeah.”

“You don’t remember.”

“No.”

Ruth went out.

John got a telephone extension cord. Brought the phone out to the living room. Sammy tried to win Arthur Wheel. Watched tv. Bill Nye. The Science Guy.

“You can leave the tv on and listen for Arthur Wheel, but you have to come into the kitchen now and eat your dinner.”

Sammy and Shortboy came into the kitchen. John had the chili in bowls. On the table.

“I hate that stuff.” Shortboy pushed his bowl. He picked up a bun. Ate.

“I don’t like chili either, Daddy.”

“You do so.”

“No. Trust me, Daddy, I don’t.”

John ate chili. The boys had small Lego constructions with them. Sammy was flying his around. Attacking Shortboy.

“Don’t.”

Sammy attacked.

“Fine. My guy is in a secret lair. You can’t find him.”

“My guy can go under the table. He can go anywhere under the table. Including your lair.”

“No!”

“Yes.”

“No!”

“Yes.”

“Be quiet! Both of you!”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“Did you hear me. Both of you shutup! Right now!”

“Don’t say shutup, Daddy.”

“Fuck off.”

BUY HUSH UP AND LISTEN STINKY POO BUTT!