"Donald Young’s poems are tight and loose at the same time—the reader can move within them—and the reader will feel strongly the concern, the emotion, the flow that carries the words along. There is color, music and a wonderful reliance on imagery that makes the poems a joy to read and reread.
But what gives the poems their energy and depth is the feeling of necessity that underlies each poem—there is an idea or passion (or both) which strongly compels its utterance. The poems are journeys toward some discovery (as the very best poems always are), toward revelation or satori (sudden illumination).
In many cases, the poems push us beyond what we could ever anticipate. Herein lies the pleasure. We leave Donald Young’s poems enlightened, deepened and thankful for the keen eye and compassionate heart.
Tom McKeown, author of
The Luminous Revolver and
Three Hundred Tigers
"
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