This Easy Falling by Tom Raithel

From the very first poem in Tom Raithel’s new collection, This Easy Falling, the reader is reminded of the rhythms and reverence found in Mary Oliver’s work. With lovely language choices, such as “ocher woods” and “conjugations of geese,” the poet expresses mankind’s connection to and reflection in nature. It is a work “ringing with hope, desire, praise.”

–Linda Neal Reising, Author of The Keeping and Stone Roses

Tom Raithel’s poetry occupies space in the here and now, but slips always into the ineffable. There’s a stunning sense of the beauty of the world and its reverberations in the soul. His technical facility is remarkable. Ultimately, how wonderful it is to encounter Tom’s work in this new collection.

–Lori Martin, Poetry Editor, Midwest Quarterly

In Tom Raithel‘s poems, I feel as though I am looking at exquisite Magic Eye photos made up of leaves of “thin-veined brightness,” “reeds and lilies / where dragonflies hunt and green frogs hide”–when suddenly I see myself emerge from the detail. Read these flawless poems. See yourself, and much more, come into clear view.

–Mark Williams, Author of the poetry collections, Happiness and Carrying On