Darklight: A Poetic Odyssey into the Wonders of the Cosmic Age

Author:  Leonard H. Roller
Publisher:   Frisen Press
ISBN:  9781460227855
Pages: 110, Paperback/Kindle
Genre:  Poetry

 Reviewed by:  Ella Vincent, Pacific Book Review

Review

Darklight: A Poetic Odyssey into the Wonders of the Cosmic Age is an intriguing mix of scientific and spiritual poems.  The 77 poems from Leonard H. Roller explore the range of emotions as vast as the universe itself. Roller’s poems are an exploration of the mysteries of the universe and nature.  Darknight’s themes run the gamut from the origin of the universe to simple observations of nature.  He writes about the mixture of Creationism and the Big Bang Theory in poems like “Multiverse”: “A single universe is not enough/For God- beholds the multiverse!’’ Roller asks provocative questions about the creation of the universe in such an innovative way in his poetry.

Other poems, such as “God’s Billion Names’’ and “Clarke’s Math’’, also show Roller’s interest in exploring the balance of spirituality and scientific evidence. Roller writes about serious subjects such as humankind’s relations to nature and scientific theories, but with a sly sense of humor readers will appreciate.  In poems such as “Pluto Demoted’’, Roller writes about Pluto no longer being considered a planet.  “Restore dear Pluto’s planetude/nor let prissy critics’ views obtrude.’’  The book also has pop-culture references that readers will love, like in “Simulation Hypothesis’’:  “Maybe The Matrix had it right/We’re living in a simulation/imposed by those of greater might/No world, no nation.’’

The poems have a common theme, but are written in varying forms.  From short poems with a few lines to longer poems, Roller has written poems that range from strict classical form to a free contemporary form of poetry.

Darklight would be the perfect book for readers who love a mixture of science and poetry, especially fans of Walt Whitman’s “ When I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer.’’ Fans of science-inspired poetry from William Wordsworth‘s “The Prelude’’ or “Astronomy Lesson’’ by Alan Shapiro will also want to add this book to their poetry collections.  This book would also be a great addition to poetry classes in universities.

Science enthusiasts will also love Darklight’s themes about the universe.  Fans of science shows like Cosmos or famous scientist Neil DeGrasse Tyson’s books like Space Chronicles will enjoy the injection of humor into scientific exploration.  The poems of Darklight are perfect for science experts who want some lyrical interpretations of outer space.

Roller has taken complicated subjects and made them entertaining in this collection. Darklight will take readers on a rewarding poetic odyssey to explore the wonders of the universe- and the wonders of poetry.