Even Whispers Can Be Heard Author:  Gerald Brooker ISBN:  1-930648-86-3 List:  10.00

I received a copy of this book as part of a book exchange program sponsored by the Poetry Superhighway. In college, I read poetry all the time, but as time passed I read other things (as time permitted). I just wanted to say thank you to Gerald for reminding me why I use to love poetry so much. The poems have an earthy, yet cerebral tone that reminds me of the works of Wendell Berry. One of my personal favorites is the poem "About Goodness", in which the author wonders about the meaning of good and evil. When speaking of the terrible wars of our time, he writes: "a blur of places where goodness must be held in contempt for failing to show up" The words are stunning in their simplicity. Another poem, both soothing and heart-rending in its elegance,"9/11 in a Jar."  In the poem the author recounts a jar of rubble given to him by a friend who had been at Ground Zero. What he find in the rubble while examining it is a grounding snapshot of the surreal nature of the event.  The poem summons powerful emotions. Even Whispers Can Be Heard is a beautiful collection of poems worthy of anyone's bookshelf, and I am pleased to say that it is on mine.

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