Across My Silence

Jack Cooper
World Audience, Inc. (2007)
ISBN 1934209376
Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (2/07)

Jack Cooper shares his poetry with readers in “Across My Silence.” He has a unique ability to paint pictures with words.
“the pink cheeks of the baby day
break through the clouds
on the prostrate hills,”

Through these words I could see the early dawn with the sun just peaking through the clouds.

In “Among the Creatures” Jack discusses his “soft spot” for animals. He protects spiders, has sympathy and love for his aging cat, and aches for trees falling victim to chainsaws. But he has no qualms when it comes to mosquitoes and houseflies. He doesn’t mind sending them to their end. However, he takes no pride in their death. “Garden To Garden” takes the reader on the journey of a butterfly, trailing through garden after garden. Mr. Cooper shares his observations on crickets and lizards.

I believe my favorite poem in this book is:

“SOME PEOPLE
There are some people
You know you’re going to like
Even before you meet them,
Men who cover their yawns,
Women who wear backpacks,
Little girls with mud on their faces,
Little boys who read,
Anyone who picks daisies
Or pets stray cats,
The glassman with a purple dinosaur
Glued to the tailgate of his truck,
The gardener with an old
“More Trees, Less Bushes” bumper sticker,
the waitress cleaning up
maple syrup all over the highchair
who smiles like it was her fault and says,
“someday I want to have kids.”

Jack Cooper shares his observations in “Across My Silence.” These poems radiate in a wide arch around him. From the first word I was hooked. Mr. Cooper has a way of catching the readers’ attention and holding it. Through his words I could see the man at the door proudly holding the fly swatter. I could see the butterfly as it moved from garden to garden. I could see the sun peaking through the clouds and the lizard scurrying away. With simple words Jack Cooper paints a unique picture of this world that we too rarely take time to contemplate. I highly recommend “Across My Silence” to those that enjoy poetry and nature.

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