A Poet’s Perspective

A Poet’s Perspective

Caleb Delos-Santos

ISBN: 978-93-95224-17-8

Copyright 2022, Cyberwit

Reviewed by LB Sedlacek

            Caleb Delos-Santos gives us a poetry book of poems all about the art of poetry.  He giftedly writes about why he writes poetry, the how of it, the inspiration behind it, plus so many things to do with this incredible creative outlet.

            So many times as poets we are told to not write poems about ourselves and to also not write about writing poetry in a poem.  But, it’s such an inherent part of your life as a poet and why not write about it?

            It’s challenging but also exhilarating to read works from another poet’s perspective.  His titles are clever indeed including such gems as “A Sociable Poet,” “Artist vs Artist,” “How to Write a Sublime Sonnet,” “The Rehearsal Rain Parade,” and “A Poem Past my Prime.”

            Not every poem in the book is about writing poetry and/or being a poet.  He also includes pop culture poems, and ones with subjects such as loneliness, acting, panic attacks, drawing, and art plus more. 

From the poem “The Shattering of a Spoon”
“Once, I wrote a poem about a pink ice cream spoon.
I personified the tiny guy, and he lamented his spent existence.
Another time, I mixed those slick rhymes with a lo-fi tune,
Hoping TikTok-poems would bring me publicity through relatability or
even resistance.”

            Delos-Santos uses an original blend of current culture expertly mixing it within his verses.  The poems are mostly free verse, but he breaks the mold by tossing in his own unique style. 

            Each word has a purpose for each poem.  This book is a satisfying read whether or not you count yourself as a poet or you want to learn to write poetry or if you simply enjoy reading poems.

            The work put forth in this book is a tremendous mashup of poetry and the craft of writing poems and more.  It is enthralling and inventive.  Delos-Santos has achieved a unique set of poems. 

            Reading this poetry book is like entering the secret world of a poet.  Delos-Santos is a born poet.

~LB Sedlacek is the author of “The Poet Next Door,” “Simultaneous Submissions,” “Four Thieves of Vinegar & Other Short Stories,” and “The Blue Eyed Side.”