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Faraway Tables
Faraway Tables is a mesmerizing collection of poetry that captures the monumental and the mundane with eloquent precision. Written largely during the Covid pandemic, these poems are imbued with a reflective depth that explores the essence of human experience—ranging from the personal to the geopolitical.
"Eric D. Goodman writes with such a light hand. He sees endearing details in everyday happenstances—playful, erudite, perceptive. Norman Rockwell in words." -Hezekiah Scretch, poetry editor, Fleas on the Dog Literary Journal
“Goodman’s reminiscences have a quiet exuberance, like finding a table for two in one’s mind.” -Kim Gek Lin Short, China Cowboy
“Goodman's thoughtful explorations of his place in a world nearly out of grasp offer insight into the courage necessary to love a life that's no longer altogether familiar.” -Barbara DeCesare, Silent Type
“Faraway Tables carries its readers across boundaries—the personal, the political, and the geopolitical—and into those vital realms of memory and time that recall us to the comfort, the connections, and the love that see us home.” -Sherry Audette Morrow, Välit
“These poems are condensed journeys reminding us of what shapes us and how each unique ingredient makes a poem of us.” -Deanna Nikaido, How to Write a Poem
“Faraway Tables is a dazzling collection—a mixture of the mundane and the monumental that travels to marvelous times and places in the world and in the heart, with surprise detonated in many of the poems’ last lines." -Toby Devens, My Best Mid-Life Crisis (Yet)
"Eric D. Goodman writes with such a light hand. He sees endearing details in everyday happenstances—playful, erudite, perceptive. Norman Rockwell in words." -Hezekiah Scretch, poetry editor, Fleas on the Dog Literary Journal
“Goodman’s reminiscences have a quiet exuberance, like finding a table for two in one’s mind.” -Kim Gek Lin Short, China Cowboy
“Goodman's thoughtful explorations of his place in a world nearly out of grasp offer insight into the courage necessary to love a life that's no longer altogether familiar.” -Barbara DeCesare, Silent Type
“Faraway Tables carries its readers across boundaries—the personal, the political, and the geopolitical—and into those vital realms of memory and time that recall us to the comfort, the connections, and the love that see us home.” -Sherry Audette Morrow, Välit
“These poems are condensed journeys reminding us of what shapes us and how each unique ingredient makes a poem of us.” -Deanna Nikaido, How to Write a Poem
“Faraway Tables is a dazzling collection—a mixture of the mundane and the monumental that travels to marvelous times and places in the world and in the heart, with surprise detonated in many of the poems’ last lines." -Toby Devens, My Best Mid-Life Crisis (Yet)
- GenresPoetry
114 pages, Paperback
Published October 1, 2024
About the author
Eric D. Goodman
12 books46 followersEric D. Goodman is the author of seven books, including FARAWAY TABLES (Yorkshire Publishing, 2024), WRECKS AND RUINS (Loyola University's Apprentice House Press, 2022), THE COLOR OF JADEITE (Loyola’s Apprentice House Press, 2020), SETTING THE FAMILY FREE (Apprentice House, 2019), WOMB: A NOVEL IN UTERO (Merge Publishing, 2017), TRACKS: A NOVEL IN STORIES (Atticus Books, 2011) and FLIGHTLESS GOOSE (Writer’s Lair Books, 2008).
Born in San Jose, California, Eric has lived in the Maryland for the past 20 years. More than 100 of his short stories, articles, and travel stories have been published in journals, magazines, and periodicals. He is co-founder of the Lit & Art Reading Series, Baltimore’s longest-running literary salon. Learn more about Eric and his writing:
www.EricDGoodman.com
www.Facebook.com/EricDGoodman.
Born in San Jose, California, Eric has lived in the Maryland for the past 20 years. More than 100 of his short stories, articles, and travel stories have been published in journals, magazines, and periodicals. He is co-founder of the Lit & Art Reading Series, Baltimore’s longest-running literary salon. Learn more about Eric and his writing:
www.EricDGoodman.com
www.Facebook.com/EricDGoodman.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 3, 2024
Thank you to the author, publisher, and LibraryThing for sending me this ARC!
Eric D. Goodman's poetry book titled "Faraway Tables" has a somber and self-aware tone that draws the reader in, but does not necessarily keep them. It took me a while to finish this book. To be honest, I wasn't as engaged as I had hoped to be. Goodman has great ideas and themes for his poems, but the skeleton lacks "muscle," so to say. But, there IS enjoyment here! I personally liked "Barefoot," "Control," and "Renovate" the most. That is where Goodman's prose shines.
I recommend this poetry book for those who enjoy Goodman's previous works, of course, as well as those who are interested in reading long-form and vocabulary-heavy poetry.
Eric D. Goodman's poetry book titled "Faraway Tables" has a somber and self-aware tone that draws the reader in, but does not necessarily keep them. It took me a while to finish this book. To be honest, I wasn't as engaged as I had hoped to be. Goodman has great ideas and themes for his poems, but the skeleton lacks "muscle," so to say. But, there IS enjoyment here! I personally liked "Barefoot," "Control," and "Renovate" the most. That is where Goodman's prose shines.
I recommend this poetry book for those who enjoy Goodman's previous works, of course, as well as those who are interested in reading long-form and vocabulary-heavy poetry.
November 29, 2024
Poetry is a medium that really gets down to the bare bones of our world and our existence. Quoting from the poet's Afterword, "Poetry seems a perfect form for today's society--short, concise, and able to get a point or feeling or idea across succinctly." I could not agree more.
The poems in this collection touch on many subjects...life during and after the pandemic, world affairs, climate change, the ever changing and inevitable winding down of life. I was struck by the observations and how tuned in they are. As always, I feel like poetry "gets me." Most certainly, poetry always seems to understand life and the world. These poems are no different.
A few quotes of verses/stanzas that were particularly striking to me...
from Toast to Friendship
These people in Kiev--people just like us--
no longer worried about
when to go to the store for toothpaste,
but whether their sons and daughters
would live in an independent nation,
or live at all.
The war in Ukraine weighs heavily on our minds as it continues on and on. This poem captured the sorrow of what was, what is, and perhaps what could be again (we can only hope).
from Embracing Hermithood
No necessity to go out, no reason to drive,
hermit life made not only bearable--
embraceable.
The need to appear disappears.
The pandemic drives us into
our isolated caves. Gives us an excuse
to be what we want to be.
If the pandemic could be looked at in a more positive light, these stanzas demonstrate this. Perhaps the forced isolation made us slow down, as we were unable to go out as the social butterflies that many of us may be. Though the isolation was difficult at times, I also feel like it helped me to slow down and to be more centered, more focused on the now.
From Sassy
I see your collar on the table.
How I always wanted to sleep in
an extra ten minutes
when it was my turn to walk you.
How I long to walk with you--
at any hour--now.
The loss of a beloved pet. This one brought tears to my eyes. So often we take for granted their devoted companionship. Then they are gone and the memories of the joy they brought to our lives are a source of sorrow, and yet thoughts of them are cherished, happy memories. The loss of our four-legged family members is so difficult because they are with us for such a short time in the grand scheme of things.
From Water Fall Blues
Driving a rented Skoda, you and I visit
the national park we remember from our last
visit to Croatia, and we find that our off-the-beaten-path
waterfall is nowhere to be found. Has it
evaporated, or can we simply not find it?
A personal loss, worthy of your tears.
Climate change. Our vanishing waterways. A very real phenomena that is becoming more and more prevalent. A sad reality, and a harsh reality for people losing access to fresh water. Would that more world leaders and governments acknowledge it for the serious treat it is.
From Just Enough
But the mosh pits and energy,
vibration of the bass,
fist pumps and crowd surfing,
being there, part of the scene.
That was me. But not today.
This evening, I'd rather stay in.
He says "That was me." I say, this was me! Funny. So many of us can relate, I'm sure. As I listen to my 20-something sons speak of concerts they attend, despite the high cost of the tickets, I try to remind myself that this was once me. When life revolved around attending the next concert. But now, for me, home is where it's at.
From The Moment
So many perfect moments for scrapbook,
storybook memories.
You look up from your painting and smile,
the sound of the children's laughter
wafting up from the basement.
If I had to pick a perfect moment,
this moment
could very well be it.
So often we have photographs and mementos of the family trips, the big moments. But it's the little things, the fleeting memories of a tiny smile, a giggle, that really matter in the grand scheme of things.
From Submission to a Student Magazine
(from a writer who's burning out)
I shake your hand and want to cling to it,
to hold it until you understand,
until you feel what I feel
and know what it means to be one in
one hundred thousand writers.
Boy, I can relate to this one. As a writer, and aspiring to be a published author, it is often daunting thinking about how many writers, and books that are out in the world. That's when imposter syndrome kicks in, but I try to remember that it's the journey, not the destination, that really matters.
As you can see, I really related to this collection. I think you will too. An excellent debut collection. I hope to have the opportunity to read Goodman's future collections.
The poems in this collection touch on many subjects...life during and after the pandemic, world affairs, climate change, the ever changing and inevitable winding down of life. I was struck by the observations and how tuned in they are. As always, I feel like poetry "gets me." Most certainly, poetry always seems to understand life and the world. These poems are no different.
A few quotes of verses/stanzas that were particularly striking to me...
from Toast to Friendship
These people in Kiev--people just like us--
no longer worried about
when to go to the store for toothpaste,
but whether their sons and daughters
would live in an independent nation,
or live at all.
The war in Ukraine weighs heavily on our minds as it continues on and on. This poem captured the sorrow of what was, what is, and perhaps what could be again (we can only hope).
from Embracing Hermithood
No necessity to go out, no reason to drive,
hermit life made not only bearable--
embraceable.
The need to appear disappears.
The pandemic drives us into
our isolated caves. Gives us an excuse
to be what we want to be.
If the pandemic could be looked at in a more positive light, these stanzas demonstrate this. Perhaps the forced isolation made us slow down, as we were unable to go out as the social butterflies that many of us may be. Though the isolation was difficult at times, I also feel like it helped me to slow down and to be more centered, more focused on the now.
From Sassy
I see your collar on the table.
How I always wanted to sleep in
an extra ten minutes
when it was my turn to walk you.
How I long to walk with you--
at any hour--now.
The loss of a beloved pet. This one brought tears to my eyes. So often we take for granted their devoted companionship. Then they are gone and the memories of the joy they brought to our lives are a source of sorrow, and yet thoughts of them are cherished, happy memories. The loss of our four-legged family members is so difficult because they are with us for such a short time in the grand scheme of things.
From Water Fall Blues
Driving a rented Skoda, you and I visit
the national park we remember from our last
visit to Croatia, and we find that our off-the-beaten-path
waterfall is nowhere to be found. Has it
evaporated, or can we simply not find it?
A personal loss, worthy of your tears.
Climate change. Our vanishing waterways. A very real phenomena that is becoming more and more prevalent. A sad reality, and a harsh reality for people losing access to fresh water. Would that more world leaders and governments acknowledge it for the serious treat it is.
From Just Enough
But the mosh pits and energy,
vibration of the bass,
fist pumps and crowd surfing,
being there, part of the scene.
That was me. But not today.
This evening, I'd rather stay in.
He says "That was me." I say, this was me! Funny. So many of us can relate, I'm sure. As I listen to my 20-something sons speak of concerts they attend, despite the high cost of the tickets, I try to remind myself that this was once me. When life revolved around attending the next concert. But now, for me, home is where it's at.
From The Moment
So many perfect moments for scrapbook,
storybook memories.
You look up from your painting and smile,
the sound of the children's laughter
wafting up from the basement.
If I had to pick a perfect moment,
this moment
could very well be it.
So often we have photographs and mementos of the family trips, the big moments. But it's the little things, the fleeting memories of a tiny smile, a giggle, that really matter in the grand scheme of things.
From Submission to a Student Magazine
(from a writer who's burning out)
I shake your hand and want to cling to it,
to hold it until you understand,
until you feel what I feel
and know what it means to be one in
one hundred thousand writers.
Boy, I can relate to this one. As a writer, and aspiring to be a published author, it is often daunting thinking about how many writers, and books that are out in the world. That's when imposter syndrome kicks in, but I try to remember that it's the journey, not the destination, that really matters.
As you can see, I really related to this collection. I think you will too. An excellent debut collection. I hope to have the opportunity to read Goodman's future collections.
November 24, 2024
This is a beautiful and thought-provoking collection of poetry. With topics ranging from reactions to the political climate, to personal tragedy, to simple observations of everyday events, this collection takes readers through a plethora of emotions, as well as providing a peek into the writer's life and mind in a way that one can't help but be draw into. I will definitely be looking further into Goodman's work in the future.
November 19, 2024
Eric D. Goodman's Faraway Tables is an exquisite collection of poems that takes the reader on a heartfelt journey through life's quiet moments, grand explorations, and poignant reflections. I found myself captivated by the depth and clarity with which Goodman crafted his verses, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary.
Goodman's poetry strikes a perfect balance between introspection and storytelling. Whether he is recounting a vivid travel memory, delving into the bittersweet nostalgia of relationships, or reflecting on universal truths, his words resonate deeply. Poems like "Patience," which celebrates the everyday ritual of brewing coffee, remind us of the beauty in routine:
"Certainly not our own.
These beans have traveled across four years,
across the globe from Indonesia to our home…”
The collection’s thematic range is remarkable. From the intimate musings of “Embracing Hermithood” to the powerful social commentary in “Toast to Friendship,” each poem invites readers to pause, reflect, and savor the human experience. Goodman's ability to weave moments of humor, melancholy, and wonder into his work is a testament to his mastery as a poet.
One standout for me was “Moments,” a poem that juxtaposes the mundane grind of daily life with the irreplaceable joy of cherished memories. It’s a reminder that the small, shared moments of love and connection are what truly define us.
“How can I pin down moments,
select them, give them weight,
anchor those greatest hits…”
The imagery in Faraway Tables is as vivid as it is evocative, painting landscapes and emotions that linger long after the final page. The collection is both accessible and profound, making it a perfect companion for seasoned poetry lovers and newcomers alike.
If you’re looking for a collection that feels like a conversation with a wise and witty friend, Faraway Tables will not disappoint. It’s a celebration of life’s many flavours—each poem an invitation to sit at the table and savour the feast. Bravo, Eric D. Goodman, for this literary gem.
Goodman's poetry strikes a perfect balance between introspection and storytelling. Whether he is recounting a vivid travel memory, delving into the bittersweet nostalgia of relationships, or reflecting on universal truths, his words resonate deeply. Poems like "Patience," which celebrates the everyday ritual of brewing coffee, remind us of the beauty in routine:
"Certainly not our own.
These beans have traveled across four years,
across the globe from Indonesia to our home…”
The collection’s thematic range is remarkable. From the intimate musings of “Embracing Hermithood” to the powerful social commentary in “Toast to Friendship,” each poem invites readers to pause, reflect, and savor the human experience. Goodman's ability to weave moments of humor, melancholy, and wonder into his work is a testament to his mastery as a poet.
One standout for me was “Moments,” a poem that juxtaposes the mundane grind of daily life with the irreplaceable joy of cherished memories. It’s a reminder that the small, shared moments of love and connection are what truly define us.
“How can I pin down moments,
select them, give them weight,
anchor those greatest hits…”
The imagery in Faraway Tables is as vivid as it is evocative, painting landscapes and emotions that linger long after the final page. The collection is both accessible and profound, making it a perfect companion for seasoned poetry lovers and newcomers alike.
If you’re looking for a collection that feels like a conversation with a wise and witty friend, Faraway Tables will not disappoint. It’s a celebration of life’s many flavours—each poem an invitation to sit at the table and savour the feast. Bravo, Eric D. Goodman, for this literary gem.
November 18, 2024
Eric D. Goodman’s Faraway Tables is a diverse collection of poems exploring themes like nostalgia, resilience, connection, and the paradoxes of modern life. The work is divided into multiple sections—Savor, Ache, Enough, and More (or Less)—that reflect the emotional landscapes the poems traverse. Goodman presents snapshots of ordinary moments imbued with universal truths through comprehensible language and evocative imagery.
The poems oscillate between personal and collective memory, juxtaposing intimacy with global concerns. Pieces like "Patience" and "Toast to Friendship" showcase Goodman’s talent for connecting small, domestic details with broader reflections on time, effort, and human connections. Themes of mortality and the ephemeral nature of life surface in "As for the Ticket" and "Last Call," while "Avocado Toast" ventures into socio-political commentary, blending the personal with the global.
Goodman employs a conversational tone, making the collection accessible without sacrificing depth. His language is direct yet layered with subtle metaphors and allusions. In "Notre Dame Bardo," the interplay of light and shadow symbolizes existential liminality, while "Embracing Hermithood" captures the reluctant yet transformative isolation of the pandemic. Goodman’s use of line breaks and enjambment mirrors the rhythm of thought and emotion, drawing the reader into the immediacy of his reflections.
Read the full review here: https://www.aliveshadow.com/category-...
The poems oscillate between personal and collective memory, juxtaposing intimacy with global concerns. Pieces like "Patience" and "Toast to Friendship" showcase Goodman’s talent for connecting small, domestic details with broader reflections on time, effort, and human connections. Themes of mortality and the ephemeral nature of life surface in "As for the Ticket" and "Last Call," while "Avocado Toast" ventures into socio-political commentary, blending the personal with the global.
Goodman employs a conversational tone, making the collection accessible without sacrificing depth. His language is direct yet layered with subtle metaphors and allusions. In "Notre Dame Bardo," the interplay of light and shadow symbolizes existential liminality, while "Embracing Hermithood" captures the reluctant yet transformative isolation of the pandemic. Goodman’s use of line breaks and enjambment mirrors the rhythm of thought and emotion, drawing the reader into the immediacy of his reflections.
Read the full review here: https://www.aliveshadow.com/category-...
November 25, 2024
The Review
What a powerful and engaging collection of poems! The author expertly crafts each poem to stand alone and yet add to the collective nature of life’s journey and what it means to be human. The imagery and tone each poem strikes with the reader will leave a lasting impact, and the poems really do a remarkable job of connecting the reader to the poet's intent and experiences overall.
The emotional connection with the poems and the overall themes became the heart of this collection. The author perfectly delves into social commentary on everything from the Pandemic to the war between Russia and Ukraine and the more personal, mundane aspects of daily life that speak of the love and connection we form in those everyday moments. The collection is written in a way that readers of all backgrounds can relate to and connect with, speaking to an accessibility that is sometimes missing from other collections that resonate here.
The Verdict
Memorable, honest, and passionately written author Eric D Goodman’s “Faraway Tables” is a must-read poetry collection. The way the poems evoke a strong emotional response, and the relatability of each poem’s message or theme will draw in many readers seeking to find a profound way of speaking to the experiences so many people have had in recent years.
What a powerful and engaging collection of poems! The author expertly crafts each poem to stand alone and yet add to the collective nature of life’s journey and what it means to be human. The imagery and tone each poem strikes with the reader will leave a lasting impact, and the poems really do a remarkable job of connecting the reader to the poet's intent and experiences overall.
The emotional connection with the poems and the overall themes became the heart of this collection. The author perfectly delves into social commentary on everything from the Pandemic to the war between Russia and Ukraine and the more personal, mundane aspects of daily life that speak of the love and connection we form in those everyday moments. The collection is written in a way that readers of all backgrounds can relate to and connect with, speaking to an accessibility that is sometimes missing from other collections that resonate here.
The Verdict
Memorable, honest, and passionately written author Eric D Goodman’s “Faraway Tables” is a must-read poetry collection. The way the poems evoke a strong emotional response, and the relatability of each poem’s message or theme will draw in many readers seeking to find a profound way of speaking to the experiences so many people have had in recent years.
November 6, 2024
Faraway Tables by Eric D. Goodman is a collection of poetry mainly about the author’s life his observations. Covid, travel, writing and self-reflection are a few of the themes in this collection.
There’s a poem about a spider’s web and another about hospice. Many of the poems stood out and I enjoyed the nostalgic feel throughout. Right off the bat I liked “Patience” because he turns the simple act of brewing a cup of coffee in the morning into a beautiful poem.
“Outside the kitchen window,
milky mist rolls along marshy grounds...."
I recommend Faraway Tables if you enjoy poetry about life and self-reflection. I enjoyed this one.
There’s a poem about a spider’s web and another about hospice. Many of the poems stood out and I enjoyed the nostalgic feel throughout. Right off the bat I liked “Patience” because he turns the simple act of brewing a cup of coffee in the morning into a beautiful poem.
“Outside the kitchen window,
milky mist rolls along marshy grounds...."
I recommend Faraway Tables if you enjoy poetry about life and self-reflection. I enjoyed this one.
September 27, 2024
Eric Goodman branches out from his long career in fiction to explore the world of poetry. His musings take the reader through pandemic, nostalgia, aging, food, travel, and culture. The poems are varied: some dead serious, others whimsical. A great poetry debut book.
July 26, 2025
This is a book I really wanted to take my time with. The topics of these poems are diverse, from noticing little things around the house to realizing one's place in global catastrophes. There's joy in little things, touches of hope and fond remembrance. There's also shame and guilt, much of it centered around unearned privilege. I loved the way the author crafted scenes that I could very nearly step into. They took me to faraway places and reminded me of the magnificence of home. I would definitely read more poetry by this author.
Thank you to BookSirens and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to BookSirens and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews