Books. ISBN: 0531056259
This is a collection of poems that are all �an exploration of conflict� and a look at life in America. The poems' topics range from a father's feelings about his son's suicide to a husband's feelings about his recent marriage.
The poems completely vary in terms of rhythm and sound. �Leaving� is in free verse with no rhyme or rhythm (Janeczko 46). Most of the poems do not use rhyme. �Lonely Games� has no rhyming words, but has a distinctive rhythm (Janeczko 19). There are seven stanzas, each with four lines. The lines are relatively short. The longest has ten syllables, the shortest has 2 syllables. Some poems use some sound, but these are few and far between. In �Poem Ending with An Old Cliche� the there is alliteration with �dimness and despair� (Janeczko 106).
The poems also vary in terms of figurative language and sense imagery. Hardly any of the poems are humorous. Some are direct, others abstract. There is a simile in �Distance� - �... down a road that shimmers in the heat like a river� (Janeczko 18). There is another simile in �The Penance� that says �... eyes as bleak as bullets� (Janeczko 100). There is a metaphor in �Distance� that compares a car to a duck (Janeczko 18). An example of descriptive writing and sense imagery occurs in �Winter Stars� where the writer says �And stare through the wet branches of an oak/In winter, & realize I am looking at the stars/ Again. A think haze of them, shining� (Janeczko 112).
Meanings vary from poem to poem as well. �Most of the poems contrast themes and images (beauty and horror, fragility and tenacity) or express mixed feelings (love and loss, nostalgia and regret, pity and anger)� (Kirkus Reviews 1993). Some are depressing and make you want to cry, such as � The Suicide's Father� (Janeczko 33). Others are strange and you aren't sure if they are funny or serious, such as �married 3 months� and �Newlyweds.� � Many of these poems are grim--"America, it's hard to get your attention politely," says David Baker--but though they deal with harsh daily reality, both political and domestic (layoffs, AIDS, suicide, etc.), there are no shouting slogans� (Booklist 1993).
The poems are sort of grouped together by subject. For instance, there are six poems about blue collar workers and the economy that are grouped together. However there are no subheadings or dividers that separate these groupings from the other groupings. There's a combined index of authors and titles and a separate index of first lines. There is also a table of contents.
�Janeczko's thoughtful selections will be taken to heart by all lovers of good poetry� (Horn Book Guide 1993). I think only young adults who already like and have an appreciation of poetry will enjoy the poetry in this collection. I wouldn't use it as an introduction to poetry for young adults.
Booklist. 1993. Booklist. In Books in Print [database online]. Available from http://www.booksinprint.com/bip.
Accessed 5 December 2004.
Horn Book Guide. 1993. Horn Book Guide. In Books in Print [database online]. Available from
http://www.booksinprint.com/bip. Accessed 5 December 2004.
Kirkus Reviews. 1993. Kirkus Reviews. In Books in Print [database online]. Available from
http://www.booksinprint.com/bip. Accessed 5 December 2004.
