Review of “Delights and Shadows” by Ted Kooser

There isn’t much for me to add to Ted Kooser’s critical acclaim for this well-named book of poetry. His skill with words, metaphors, and creating imagery is remarkable, even to someone like me. You don’t have to be a poetry lover to appreciate the tapestry he weaves with simple words in this impressive work.

It could be that this particular collection is mostly upbeat and doesn’t languish over the past or the future. From memories as a child to the observations of an elderly man, these poems present at most a melancholy side that never ventures into the depths of despair some poets wallow in. Maybe the difference is like preferring action novels over romances. Whatever you call this style of poetry, it really hits the spot with me.

There isn’t much to say about grammar and punctuation; I don’t understand how poets decide where to break lines, even if they don’t use commas. Thus, I never know exactly how to read them; sometimes I treat each line break as a pause, even if it has no punctuation. Other times I read right through and only pause at commas or semicolons, but sometimes his multi-line sentences are pretty long. I’ll get a chance to practice because this author has convinced me to continue reading poetry.

I don’t keep the books I read after writing my reviews, but I think I’ll keep this one handy to bring some delight or shadows into a moment of my day…occasionally.

I definitely recommend this book of poetry.