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Yet their shadows fall.
Whispering, earnest to attain
Knowledge forever lost
Or what became our world."
Seeking a return to the more traditional form of poetry, one infused with meter, consistent rhyme scheme, and a plethora of timely and invigorating figurative language, Czubakowski uses his poetry compilation as a way to pave the path to poetry’s more classical form. In nearly every poem, the presence of scintillating imagery, including but not limited to “ash of smoke” and “fingers of light,” serves to establish tone and present a captivating visual for audiences.
The poet combines a strong command of fundamentals with an uncanny depth of thought. In poems like “The Void,” the potent imagery of drifting alone in the dark is an instrument to demonstrate how many people are leaving meaningless lives, happily trading away their opportunities for growth and knowledge for a meaningless, repetitive job with greater numbers on a paycheck. From loneliness to living modestly, Czubakowski covers a range of topics pertinent to today’s society. Certain poems, however, like “The Others” will become seared into readers’ minds with their fusion of repetitive structure, personification, and a monumental internal struggle to act or not to act within the speaker. Throughout the poems, remnants of Czubakowski’s own life, such as his experiences in the army are readily apparent. In particular, “Results” stands out in its description of majestic buildings meeting their demise and the ramifications of war—and death—on families.
Overall, Czubakowski’s work is executed with pinpoint precision; every instance of simile and metaphor, personification and imagery, etc. hold a purpose, a responsibility to further illuminate and deliver the speaker’s message into the imagination of the reader. This is done flawlessly. For poetry aficionados and those who want to look at the world from a lens of thought and wonder, this compilation is an undoubtedly compelling and meaningful experience.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review