Truths in Verse

Charles Masner's new book sparkles with passion, thoughtfulness and ambition. In particular, his commitment to exploring the great traditions of meter and lyrical form bear fruit in line after memorable line. From his introductory essay, where he argues that "even air has a form," through the panoply of forms in the book, to his useful glossary, Masner seeks to connect his own life to the life of the art. He even endstops most of his lines, audacious in our time, and yet frequently makes many of them sing: "Mountains die and rivers fountain." "The tattoos I can see are feathers she's laid bare." "No poet's star can shine without God's night." It is a pleasure to find a poet so purposefully shining and singing in such a night, spinning vitality and craft into words. - David J. Rothman, author of My Brother's Keeper (Lithic Press, 2019) Finalist for the Colorado Book Award.