light filters in Poetry Review

There is something almost intrusive about critiquing a memoir, so I simply will not. This collection of poems, light filters in, remains untouchable by my meager condescensions regardless. The collection itself speaks about depression and an overall coping with the rougher bits of life. The poetry portrays an incredible genuine and authentic feel; it makes the reader (or at least me) want to be more honest with his or herselves. There are multiple themes acquired in the piece, but Kaufman does not push any information onto the reader. Throughout the collection, the knowledge presented in the memoir offers itself to the world without forcing its ideals upon the people reading. The word choice used dredges up emotion some readers didn’t realize they were capable of feeling. And the syntax adds another layer of bittersweet honesty to the entire thing. I also appreciate the choice to leave the pictures in black, white, and various shades of gray; it reminds readers that the world isn’t any more clear-cut than the people inside it and that ‘evolving into color’ does not mean a person will be satisfied.

“when will love become greater than lust, // or power not lead to pain? // when will torture not hold hands with trust, // or greed not be part of the game? // when will writing not grow old and rust, // or failure detach from fame? // when will we realize our creations combust // because we are the ones holding the flame?”

Recommended for anyone who knows the emotion broken, especially those who won’t admit it, because everyone deserves to feel understood.

-Grace Nask