With an attention to accuracy of word reminiscent of the young Marianne Moore, Mary-Marcia Casoly’s unfortunately titled “Run to Tenderness” is a tour de force that should be better known. Though I completely understand the impulse behind the title–many of the poems are addressed to the poet’s father, who appears to have been an absolutely wonderful gentleman, it does not alert the potential reader to the breath-taking range of language within:

She is a mysterious soup,
a city, a portal of fish stock, spearmint and bird’s eye-peppers
and yam. Morning like jasmine buds strung
into a bracelet, the rooster crow,
jet planes roar. Stalls of watermelon, mangosteens
dragons’ eyes and rambutans;
golden arils of jackfruit shine.
A flexible pole is slung over one shoulder
with a basket on each end; she passes it across
the river to you. Every smile greets you. There is more bottom
than top as every child knows.

(”Widow; Bangkok”)

And the gifts keep coming!

I could quote the whole book, including the fabulous “Australia Dreaming,” but can only point, in this brief review, at one amazing poem after another.

Get this book!

Pantograph Press
JASFOLEY[at]aol.com