#Review: The Unempty Spaces Between by Louis Efron

The Unempty Spaces Between
Poet: Louis Efron
Publisher: Cathexis Northwest Press
Rating: 4/5

Heavily loaded with significant symbolism and metaphors, Louis Efron’s The Unempty Spaces Between is a reflective collection of short poems that intends to penetrate into the voids of the mind, the thoughtless nothings and the numbing instances. Every why has a whereof and that’s what each entity in this collection proves. Right from the lover wicks to the entwining branches of two different trees, all the elements that comprise the Earth have been metaphorically addressed.

Without using fancy wordplay or cliched jargon, Efron’s juxtaposition of ideas is beautiful. I liked how he’s worked upon Empty Attics that cast a despondent shadow of aloofness. Irony. Yet there’s a lingering nostalgia when you read about these common empty spaces which are, in Efron’s world of hypothesis, unempty. It’s interesting to read another perspective about nightmares and how they evolve with our age. It’s enthralling to read about the unquenched longing for ‘her’ and the amazing analogy with a burning flame!

Louis Efron’s debut collection, The Unempty Spaces Between, is a stunning fusion of emotion, nature, and human experience. With accessible and universal poems, Efron intertwines the natural and human worlds, emphasizing the profound impact our actions have on the landscapes we inhabit. It is a work that delves into the depths of our souls, exploring the complexity of our emotions and our place within the greater tapestry of existence.

Through his masterful use of language, he paints vivid images of tides leaving scars on the sand, petals colouring the earth like a sweet jazz composition, the light of the bright sun extinguished in a swift blow and the sugary boat that fails to find a shore. These evocative descriptions invite readers to contemplate the interconnectedness of all things and the profound impact we have on our surroundings.

The Unempty Spaces Between is a refreshing departure from the dominance of prose poetry in the contemporary poetic landscape. Efron’s collection pays homage to the traditional craft of poetry, incorporating form and end rhymes with skill and precision. Poems like “Without Her,” “A Candle with Two Wicks,” and “Spaces Between” showcase Efron’s ability to weave metaphors and create a profound impact through poetic techniques.

This collection is a testament to Efron’s dedication to the art of poetry. His words resonate with a deep sense of purpose and a yearning for understanding. Through his exploration of emptiness and the searching soul, he invites readers on a profound journey of self-discovery and connection to the natural world.

The Unempty Spaces Between by Louis Efron is a work that demands to be savoured. It is a testament to the power of language and the enduring relevance of poetry in our lives. For those who appreciate serious writing and a deep exploration of the human experience, this collection is a must-read. Efron’s vibrant poems, brimming with compassion and curiosity, serve as a reminder that even in the most complex emotions and the simplest observations, there lies something greater to be discovered.

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