True If Destroyed by Jamie Gage

“In his poetry, James Gage bravely steps into the realms of both intimacy and fear. His poems explore with honesty such topics as his own childhood, his parents (don’t miss the meticulous and revealing “My father last night”), the seductive magnetism of beauty, the surprises inherent in relationships, and the unpredictable, complex world around each of us. Gage’s poems are never static. The lines of each poem are alive with energy and clarity. His lyrical poems often reach a conclusion that was not easily predictable from the start, which is part of the richness found in reading True If Destroyed. Many poems, such as “April Snow” and “Strange Fruit,” evolve through multiple layers of meaning as they unfold, enriching the reader with new insights. Gage’s poems gently tap open the door of the hard-to-fathom world in which we humans briefly and unexplainably comingle.”

–Marjorie Ryerson, Bread Loaf professor, poet, and author of the award-winning book Water Music.

Rating: ***** [5 of 5 Stars!]