Poetry Book Review: The Sky We Fell Through by Ryan Stone

 

I love poetry which delves into the mysteries of the cosmos and existence, and I can't think of a book which achieves that so excellently as Ryan Stone's The Sky We Fell Through.

Stone's poetic style is very accessible: modern, with no wasted words, yet each stanza spilling over with deeper meaning. The imagery of his sentences stirs the imagination, hinting at hidden mysteries. He uncorks a cosmic bottle of ancient vintage, and pours the reader an intoxicating glass of wonder.

Speaking of wonder, each poem includes a "Wonder Box" - a scientific explanation of the phenomenon explored in the poem's verses. But this is no book of dry facts. The science does not detract from the poetic experience. Think, the warmth of Carl Sagan's writing, infused with a hint of the Tao Te Ching's mysticism. Right and left brain dance beautifully together in these poems.

One thing I really enjoy about Stone's writing approach is what Robert Bly called "leaping poetry." At some point, each of his poems make a transcendent leap from matters of the universe to the existential questions of the human experience. I've not encountered many poets who do this, which is why I'm so happy to have been introduced to this writer.

As a reader, my sense of wonder is stirred by these poems. As a poet, I'm inspired to raise the bar in my own writing. Thank you Ryan Stone. 

You can find Ryan Stone's blog and book info here.