an inkling hope: select poems

An inkling hope is an engaging collection of poems inspired by everything from stargazing and backpacking to contemplations existential and interpersonal. Rich in imagery and imagination, these poems punctuate defining moments from a 12-year exploration of language, perception and life. From this period, 128 poems have been selected that meet criteria for strong visual presentation, an element of timelessness and one or more of the following: potent metaphor or allegory, intricate yet tastefully evasive abstraction, a concrete storyline—real or imagined. Nearly every poetic form Thomas has worked with during this period is represented, including the sonnet, the villanelle, and the ghazal. However, it will delight some readers to learn that roughly half the content space is occupied by free verse, such as with this poem:


Gleam

Joy came
  whispering through autumn oaks
     soft as silence
  strong as the first stormy rains
that bring an end to waiting

Joy came
  slowly over green eastern ridges
     and scattered peace of mind
  countless shades of light
across billowed cloudscapes

Joy came
  singing high over rooftops
     hopping limb to bough
  light brown plumage flashing
moments of hope

Joy came
  from deep in the shadowed woods
    and called out the moon
  a hundred howling voices
adrift in the darkness

Joy came
  from black wells of mystery
    where spawn the ancient stars
  to pierce moonless nights
with streaks of understanding


Scattered throughout these pages are the markers and milestones of a long, emotional journey, expressed in ways sometimes abstract, sometimes symbolic, sometimes concrete—but always visual. Not merely emotional, but spiritual—in the animistic sense—for Thomas sees all things as possessed of spirit, be it insect or mammal, rock or tree, ocean or wave, city or plain, planet or star, even emotions and principles themselves. These poems vary in mood, tone, voice and form, but this underlying spiritual perspective—this animism—is woven amongst them all.

This book contains three appendices. First, the notes, beautifully formatted, where editorial thoughts can be found on every poem. Second, an index of first lines, which is a very useful function that most older books of poetry possess. Last is an index of forms, where information is provided about each poetic form represented along with a list of those poems written to it.

The foreword is thoughtfully written by Daniel Barth, long time poet, author, essayist, critic and teacher. Dan has authored a number of books over the years, including Fast Women Beautiful: Zen Beat Baseball Poems and The Day after Hank Williams Birthday: Prose Pieces & Poems. His foreword serves to establish within the reader an open mind for what follows and sets the tone for a walk through a landscape of imagery, perspectives and spirits.