BETWEEN TWO FIRES - Paperback – June 2, 2023 by John Grey (Author)

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Cyberwit.net (June 2, 2023)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 101 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 8119228294
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-8119228294
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 5 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.26 x 8.5 inches

The poems included in this poetry collection reveal  the poet’s simplicity, depth of emotions and fecundity.  The style of the poet is colloquial and conversational.  All poems are technically accomplished. The poet shows a remarkable quality of creating fact and feeling into impressive words. 

His Floaters

Every time 
he opens his eyes,

right there in the vitreous,
a game is being played
with random black dots.

All he wants is vision,
clear, unadulterated, 
but he shares what he can see
with some video game 
from way back in the 
early 1980’s.

It’s like Pong 
but without the paddles.

And all his eye doctor can say is,
“With any luck,
in time they’ll fade.”

This poem beautifully captures the frustration and inconvenience of dealing with floaters in the eyes. The comparison to a video game, specifically referencing Pong from the 1980s, adds a nostalgic and somewhat whimsical touch to the description. The desire for clear vision is expressed poignantly, contrasting with the persistent presence of those random black dots.

The mention of the eye doctor's optimism and the hope that the floaters will fade with time adds a layer of resignation and patience to the narrative. The final line, "But he’s not the one who’s keeping score," cleverly plays on both the idea of keeping score in a game and the frustration of the individual dealing with the floaters. It suggests a sense of helplessness and the personal toll of enduring this visual disturbance.

Overall, the poem effectively captures the emotional experience of grappling with a physical condition that affects one's perception of the world, using vivid imagery and a touch of humor.

My Complain Department

My older brother would tag along
after my sadness.
He'd watch me stuff my head in the pillow,
scratch at the blankets, squeeze the sheets
together like the pimple on my chin.
"What have you got to complain about,"
was his favorite saying.

This brief passage encapsulates a complex dynamic between siblings, specifically focusing on the older brother's response to the narrator's sadness. The use of vivid imagery, such as stuffing the head in the pillow, scratching at blankets, and squeezing sheets together, effectively conveys the physical manifestations of emotional distress.

The older brother's question, "What have you got to complain about," suggests a dismissive or unsympathetic attitude, implying that he perceives the narrator's sadness as unwarranted or trivial. This dynamic reflects a common aspect of sibling relationships where one sibling may downplay the struggles or emotions of the other.

The use of the phrase "favorite saying" implies that this dismissive attitude is a recurring theme in their interactions, highlighting a pattern in their relationship. This passage captures a moment of vulnerability for the narrator and sheds light on the challenges of expressing emotions within the family dynamic.

Overall, it's a poignant glimpse into the complexities of sibling relationships, especially when one sibling struggles to empathize with the emotional experiences of the other.

This is such an amazing book. I highly recommend it. The book is beautiful, I love it. I will rate it 5 stars.

                                                                                                        ---Ruchi Agarwal