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for the lushness of green
or the brilliance of orange
yellow
and red"
In this poetry collection, readers discover a myriad of ponds, rivers, forests, and landscapes. However, these places cannot be accepted superficially. Each poem is an emotional engagement with a unique environment and the environment’s inhabitants. Orchids and irises are not simply flowers. They are careful dancers with “long-leafed arms” who stomp their heels “trying to get our attention.” Each season and the memories each offers are keepsakes tucked away for a different time. Readers also discover picturesque scenes where “fish flip / and twirl themselves, / while dancing free.” Other poems like “Water Song I” celebrate the elements so many take for granted on any given day.
This collection is a celebration of nature. Quiet, contemplative, and meditative, it offers readers a protected, sacred space where one can easily overlook humankind’s and technology’s interference. The poems are reminiscent of the philosophies of Emerson, Dickinson, and Leopold. The speaker is at one with nature, and the speaker’s experiences with it show one how reconnecting with natural spaces is oftentimes a necessity for discovering one’s self. At the same time, each poem is a call to action in regard to protecting nature and striking a careful balance between maintaining humanity’s demands and preserving fragile environments and creatures. The careful consideration of each word used and how each line breaks mimics this balance. Those who love nature will immediately connect with these poems. The selections surround the book’s audience with nature. After leaving this collection’s pages, readers will feel more connected with the seasons, the animals, the birds, and the landscapes so often taken for granted.
Kantor's Filling in the Black is a 2022 Eric Hoffer Book Award Category Finalist.