In “This Long Trip to Myself,” Saari gives the reader a path into the soul of the poet. He gives the reader depth and lyricism in the very creepy poem, “Shadowland.” If you die/And I attend you/I also will learn.” Much of Saari’s poetry is introspective. Much of it deals with internal struggle and death. The poem, “The Tomb” brought to mind pictures viewed of Holocaust victims. The poem brought forth stark imagery of jutting bones and being surrounded by death. Likely not the intent of the poet but poetry is a personal experience.

The poem “Alice” tells the remembered tale of a girl losing her shoes and the woman restrained in what sounds to be an asylum setting. The poem is powerful and moving in the sense that no matter where a reader is in their life they have those pivotal moments to which they might or will cling in the end. I read the poem a few times in an attempt to absorb the enormity of the event for this woman and her loved one or caretaker who within the poem wishes they had known her when she was vital.

My favorite poem was decidedly Seussical, “6,740 Days in the Life of a Bookworm.” The poem was funny, symbolic and poignant.

If you like to read poetry or like haunting lyrical stanzas, the work of Steve Saari is for you. ( )