In BREVITY by John Kerl, readers are taken on a journey through moments in time that span between 1989 and 2024. This collection of poetry allows a glimpse into the author’s self-described “ordinary” life, exploring young adulthood, parenthood, death, birth, and love. Kerl’s choice of title reflects the fleeting nature of these snapshots, each poem encompassing a single experience—such as observing raindrops in the porch light in “Porchlight” and bumping into someone you once loved in “Algernon”. From meteor showers to observing his children at play, Kerl captures the essence of life’s mundanities with introspection and reflection.
BREVITY’s style demonstrates a subtle variation. Some pieces follow a traditional layout while others experiment with spacing and length, offering readers a diverse range of tones and techniques to engage with. This stylistic choice prevents the work from feeling repetitive, and adds depth to the overall reading experience.
One of the most striking aspects of the collection is Kerl’s tendency to infuse his poems with stunning imagery that lift each moment off the page. His careful attention to detail towards his subjects demonstrates a profound sense of care and consideration. In “Morning Jog,” “sapling branches” resemble “bony hands.” In “Simplicity,” a woman’s mole is compared to a “blot of lust.” Through these descriptions and more, the poet infuses each piece with thought-provoking nuances that allow readers to contemplate and appreciate the intricacies of everyday life.
While the beauty of Kerl’s work is undeniable, some readers may find the personal nature of the poems a bit challenging to relate to. The intimate exploration of the author’s innermost thoughts and feelings can create a sense of distance for those seeking more universal themes. Some of his poems require more context to provide a truly meaningful experience for the reader.
For those comfortable with intuition and mystery, however, or lovers of language and beautiful imagery, BREVITY will prove to be a thought-provoking collection that offers a glimpse into the complexity of human experiences. John Kerl invites readers to reflect on their own lives and find beauty in the ordinary moments that shape our existence.
BREVITY is a testament to John Kerl’s skill as a poet and his ability to capture the essence of life’s fleeting moments.
~Tess McCumstie for IndieReader