Shane Gerry

Shadows of the Void: Complete Poetic Works by Shane Gerry book review by Nicole Yurcaba "The darkness will never betray my secrets." Blending the literal with the figurative, this collection takes readers on a journey through the nuances of surviving peacefully in a modern world. Poems like "Plugged In" provide commentary on humanity's reliance on technology and the numbness that develops from constant exposure to violence. With a Kerouac-like spirit, the metaphysical "Traveling Bum" gives readers an acceptance of what comes after a life well-lived. "Humanity's Chalk Line" uses the dark as a metaphor for ignorance and takes readers on a journey through the emptiness of everyday existence. In other poems such as "Fetching the Chaos," one experiences the surrealism of existing in a world in which one doesn't fit. Meanwhile, the poem conveys the message that people can only achieve self-awareness after they recognize their own flaws. This collection blends rhyming forms as well as unstructured ones to create an intimate walk through spirituality, modern society, and personal purpose. With careful consideration, the poems' speaker contemplates the light and the dark and how each appears in an individual's life. The narrator also reflects the importance of accepting others for who they are and the value and impact of meaningful friendships. Other poems portray the battle between the spiritual world and the materialistic one and the toll that conflict takes on an individual. For readers seeking to add enlightened moments to their day, this collection offers small glimpses of light in an increasingly dark world. Otherworldly and moving, this thought-provoking collection is sure to impact readers long after they have finished it.