I enjoyed Verge: A Collection of Poetry by Anthony Shieh not just because the author is a good friend of mine, but because the book stands out among the poetry volumes I have consumed this 2023. As the year comes to an end, it is refreshing to read about uncertainties, implosions, and grief in one beautifully illustrated book. I must say that it is a world class publication, from its layouting to its illustrations (which was done by the author himself).
The star of this book is the poetry. Nowadays, many people style themselves as poets. However, not everyone has the technical skill in order to tackle this genre with grit and structural prowess. The author skillfully weaves his own doubts, fears, and sadness with his hope for an uncertain future in his poems. He remains spellbound and full of wonder, even if his pandemic season was filled with grief and pain. He looks forward, while remaining tied to the painful events which have influenced him to become a poet and an author. For someone who has undergone many lonely life events, it is admirable that he was able to channel his pain into poetic works of art.
His illustrations give us a window into the thoughts that run through his head. His poems and his drawings gave me an idea of how he has reflected on his pain, and how his trust that the possibilities would be better than his past has pushed him to write and publish this book. I admire his determination not just to survive, but to also continue creating. His art speaks for itself, and it invites the reader to indulge on their own borders, rather than avoiding them.
Verge: A Collection of Poetry is now available. Do not miss out on this beautiful collection of poems which will surely inspire you to keep moving forward!