The Book of Shadows

Of the many strange, tangy things that happen in the Northwest, Carlos Reyes is a connoisseur. He saves up glimpses and smells like little cameos and jewels for his poems. Entering his book is like beginning a tour of the country, a walk through the woods, a trip along aromatic trails; the smell of cedar and the drip of water are with you.

Far scenes are brought in with a zoom lens, and the Reyes flavour of living and recollecting is laced gracefully through page after page of surprise and recognition blended into insight.