Review: The Day's Last Light Reddens the Leaves of the Copper Beech

 

I'm never sure when I'm reading Stephen Dobyns whether I'm reading poetry or very intense short stories. It hardly matters, because I'm always stirred. His style is always simple, almost conversational, but always digging levels deeper than it seems. In this collection his style is whittled to the bone, as he faces mortality dead on, especially in his 16 poems for his recently deceased wife, which are absolutely searing. There's something valedictory, slightly chilling in these poems. One hopes if it's goodbye, it's a long goodbye.

The Day's Last Light Reddens the Leaves of the Copper Beech can be found here on Amazon.