Review by Katie Lipoma
I’ve been on a poetry kick as of late and discovered Maine in Four Seasons: 20 Poets Celebrate the Turning Year (edited by Wesley McNair and illustrated by Jan Owen) tucked into the quiet back shelves of the Farmington Library. This tiny but mighty collection featuring various Maine poets seeks to celebrate the heart of Maine and its beauty throughout the year, and use lots of natural imagery and distinct word choice to do so. It’s divided into the four seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter—the beginning of each marked with a black and white drawing that encompasses what makes the season special. Although I didn’t recognize any of these authors, I enjoyed reading their interpretations of the Maine seasons and hope to discover more of their work in the future.
My favorite season of poems in this book is fall. Each poem in this section speaks to me in some way, capturing the seemingly indescribable way fall makes me feel. My absolute favorite poem is “September Staying” by Patricia Ranzoni, which begins with “the air is made of missing.” The poem goes on to describe wildlife and how it has adapted to the changing season, thus settling into its new home. “Vespers” by Theodore Enslin is another interesting poem that immediately captured my attention. I was unsure about the meaning of “vespers” and according to Google, it is “a Christian service of prayer held at dusk.” This lovely yet eerie work is based on that specific time after the sun has set and cars are headed home from work in a light layer of darkness. As the narrator drives through a neighborhood, they are worried about the people in the homes they pass, referring to them as neighbors who are tired and hungry. The poem closes with the narrator not being able to interpret what their “neighbors” need as they continue down the “ordinarily quiet road.” I suppose “vespers” could represent the narrator’s internal state as they pray for their “neighbors” despite not being able to see them. This reminds me of the Bible teaching about loving your neighbor as yourself. Lastly, a poem that stood out to me in the winter section of this book is “Driving North in Winter” by Wesley McNair. It depicts the beauty and gratitude of mundane moments spent with family in the warmth of home while snow falls around them. So lovely!
This was a short one, but I hope you enjoyed it. There will be no review next week, but check back on December 4!
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