Poetry Readers Challenge discussion

Hi all,
I look forward to reading your reviews in 2023!
Jen

Here is Sarah's explanation of this space from last year because she does it so well!

This is where you can add reviews for 2023 by creating a new topic. We like reviews of books, chapbooks & anthologies.

Reviews don't have to be long or examine the poetry in depth. You could look at a theme, or diction, subject matter, imagery, form, word choice, or emotional effect. Whatever you like. Or pick a poem you liked & talk about that. If something didn't appeal to you, we'd be interested to hear about that.

Try to be balanced in reviews. Just because you dislike it doesn't mean it's without value. I'm not big on Gerald Manley Hopkins, but no reflection on him. Aside from being fair, there's no need to dress up your reaction. You don't have to feel pressured to be insincere because so-and-so is the editor of MegaFamous Annual & you're longing to have a piece accepted there. If you're uncomfortable, don't review!

And don't be shy about reviewing a book because someone else already has. Do it. It's so interesting to get someone else's perspective.

We especially love links to poem(s) from the book!

Happy reading.

The Neon Rosary by Lorette C. Luzajic


A story (“The Triaminic Man”) by Lorette C. Luzajic was just selected two days ago (the same day I finished reading this book) as one of the Best Small Fictions of 2023. The tiny prose poems in The Neon Rosary are even more astounding in their compression. She is a master of less is more. Each poem accomplishes its mission in 3-20 lines. Warning: reading two or three of these is like eating the most lucious French chocolates you’ve ever had right before a restaurant meal. She’ll spoil your appetite for long-winded writing.

I’m a great fan of compression in poetry, so I’ll return to this book to learn from it. I’ve already tried to analyze how the author accomplishes so much so quickly (quick, at least to the reader’s mind). It’s not a new technique, just one that few do this well. But, before I give you the A, B, C’s of Luzajic’s magic, I want to ask you a few questions. Do you know that each of these prose poems is inspired by art (i.e., EKPHRASTIC)? Did you know that Luzajic is both an artist and author as well as Editor of The Ekphrastic Review? All reasons only she could write this book.

Each poem begins with an epigraph naming the work that inspired the writing. I felt no need to look up those I didn’t know. Luzajic makes the writing feel complete in itself. However, checking out some of the inspiration pieces will show you the seeming infinitude of her imagination.

Now for those A,B, C’s:

A. Seduce the reader: Make the first sentence so inviting no one can’t turn away.

B. Continue the allure: Add a few startling strokes of description or fresh verb choices.

C. Slam the door shut OR invite the reader to come away with you. Luzajic’s talking about “White Mare” when she says, “You mount her in silence, knowing you will go with her, without question: where she leads you is your way home.” For enchanted readers, it’s the author we’ll follow anywhere.

With Luzajic’s talent, she can even fit A, B, and C into two sentences. I don’t want to quote more excerpts, because each line is the piece of a jigsaw puzzle that can only be appreciated best within the whole.