"Compass" by Erik Hansen ~ A BlueRoom Review

Compass, New and Selected Poems by Erik Hansen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

From early days in Oxford England to the deep woods of Connecticut, "Compass ~New and Selected Poems" by Erik Hansen is an absolute pleasure to read. Not only is the reader invited to explore these opposite shores through a collection that will stimulate the senses, but the depth of characters presented throughout the work is both full-bodied and impressive, not to mention the internal struggle evident through out the evolution of the writer himself.

"Storm Clouds Over Elsinore" has us regarding the author through his own eyes, through his history, as we hear his father's footsteps in his memory..."From every angle/I do believe/That I am not my father...

"Far From Raglan Road" where poor Francis pulls from his bottle of blood-red wine, the reader is left wanting to know more of Frannie...though "These dead sons-of-bitches grinning whitely/In the street lights glow" speaks to struggle as we view the street scene with the author.

But out of urban struggle, there is solace to be found in the peaceful quiet of the woods of Connecticut. We are invited to witness the young hunter, trained in the art by his father, to catch a glimpse of the deer, to hear the scratch of the wolf at your door. We are enveloped in the scent of the Honeysuckle...as we see her rise and fall at the hands of the author, where the brush "Burned and smoldered for five days"

There is family, there is longing, there is fear and there is love...all to be found in this beautifully penned collection.

A must read for lovers of poetry and a fantastic start for those who are just stepping into her waters.

View all my reviews