Title: Love and Hate
Author: Robert Rogers
Publisher: Xlibris
ISBN: 978-1-7960-7551-9
Pages: 56
Genre: Poetry
Reviewed by: Ephantus M.

Read Book Review

Transient moods, soul-searching and emotional rendition constitute Robert Roger’s genre-bending anthology Love and Hate.

 Love and Hate is an intricate poetic mosaic by retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Robert Roger which dilates upon compounded themes of loss, war, love, heartbreak, and world peace, among others, as they build upon the author’s life experiences, personal challenges, and fun moments across the years. The striking poetry jewel begins with a stirring entry, “A Divided World,” presenting a world that once felt hopeful and now no longer does. He draws the reader’s attention by laying down real issues regarding conflict within countries which begs the question, what do humans do now? by intoning: “Search to learn what will be… We shall see Remain together or apart…Where do we start?”

Roger’s thirteen short and heartfelt compositions of poems, as the title of the book suggests, take special delight in the two complex topics, love, and hate, employing a remarkable gentility along the pages. All entries are fairly long with each word having its resolve, including their titles and images across the pages, which is important for consciousness. Each vignette carries along a unique rhythm and harmonization with its excellent imagery and elegant structures. For example, in “Hard to Be Alone,” the poet writes:

It’s hard to be alone
I live in a cold, cold home
Once the fires burned bright
Now I live in the rain
The sun no longer shines
You left and are no longer mine
I still linger for your touch
I loved you so much.

 Elsewhere, this accomplished writer employs refined iambic parameters, alliteration, and resonance that results in a sumptuous gala for the heart and soul. Some poems call out to be read out loud while others appear to be pensive soliloquies that invite introspection and rumination. Meandering through this collection felt like a luxurious stroll through a treasured album of memories from an adept minstrel.

Altogether, Love and Hate by Roger Robert is unequivocally an ardent, straight-from-the-shoulder poetry book that poetry fans will find to be a keeper.