Barbara Crooker’s poetry has appeared many times in the Monitor. Now, with the publication of Selected Poems (Future Cycle Press, $17.95) and Small Rain (Purple Flag, $15), readers can enjoy more. The former celebrates everyday joys and challenges, and the resilience of the human spirit.
In several poems, Crooker’s unwavering love helps her son – who has been diagnosed with autism – experience small victories and persistent growth.
“Small Rain” begins with winter scenes, then celebrates the arrival of spring: “Everywhere, bare branches/ toss in the wind,/ hello, hello, hello.” As buds and birds appear, humans and nature come alive. The speaker considers new joys and new seasons as spring turns to summer, and summer to autumn.
The writing beautifully captures the underlying energy that animates people and the natural world.