Nocturne by Phil Slattery

Phil Slattery presents a heartfelt collection of poems from his romantic past in Nocturne: Poems of Love, Distance, and the Night, a callous and disinterested lover. From literal confessions of unrequited love to abstract, image-heavy fantasies, the themes of passion, lust, and longing are unmistakable and broadly represented. There are primal emotions explored throughout the collection – trauma being overcome, identity being rediscovered, and dwindling hope finding ways to be rekindled. Despite a variety of structural forms in the verse and a number of standout lines, this outpouring of poetry relies too heavily on classic romance language and familiar imagery. Even so, the raw emotion of the poet bleeds onto the page, while unexpected lyrical twists do give this collection momentum and visceral impact.