Title: Moonlight in My Eyes: Poems
Author: James Richard Hansen
Publisher: AuthorHouse
ISBN: 979-8-8230-1775-6
Genre: Poetry
Pages: 61
Reviewed by: Allison Walker

Read Book Review

In a slim volume of poetry, James Richard Hansen has composed a symphony of
emotions which will resonate with readers on multiple levels. Moonlight in My Eyes:
Poems is a captivating collection that illuminates the beauty and wonder of the natural
world, while offering heartfelt insights into the human heart and spirit. In his poetry,
Hansen expresses his deep connection to nature and its mysteries, resulting in a book
which feels both intimate and expansive, and invites readers to contemplate their own
relationships with the natural landscapes beyond their backdoor and the emotional
landscapes within.

The greatest strength of Moonlight in My Eyes: Poems is Hansen’s descriptive ability to
translate the natural world into lyrical and emotionally evocative poetry. He plays with
celestial themes, allowing the beauty and mystery of space to serve as the backdrop of
his poetry and as the inspiration for his exploration of emotions. Not only do the Moon,
Stars, Sun and sky inspire his themes, he uses the steady hush of the night sky to
evoke a sense of quiet reflection into the collection. Of course, moonlight, in particular,
is a recurring metaphor: its silver glow illuminates hidden emotions, revealing subtle
shifts in mood and thought. For example, as in the title poem, “Moonlight in My Eyes,”
Hansen writes, “As I pondered the sky, with its glowing, silvery sphere… my eyes
opened wide to allow the full symphony into my soul.”

The night sky is not all beauty and wonder, though, and Hansen captures that, as well.
The interplay between light and dark is another key theme in Hansen’s poetry and the
perfect canvas to play with the duality of life: “For every bright day, there is an equally
dark night; for every full moon casting light, a new moon to cast shadows.” In his poem,
“Moonlit Night,” Hansen reminds us that perspective alone can set the tone of our
experiences. In contrast to “Moonlight in My Eyes,” this poem recoils from the slippery
specters that hide in the moon’s shadow. Hansen writes, “Silvery light shone on the
lake, creating glittering phantoms and eerie, shimmering specters… I had to get out of
there but where could I go?” Each poem is a unique meditation into the complexities of
the human experience, inviting readers to reflect on their own perspectives and
experiences.

Each poem is brief but don’t think of this collection as a quick read. The simplicity of
Hansen’s poems allows their emotional power to bloom slowly, encouraging readers to
linger over the lines and reveal new layers of meaning with each reading. Hansen’s
keen observational skills and attention to detail mean each word is carefully chosen,
each a perfectly crafted note which combined creates a glorious composition. This holds
true throughout the final pages, those 13 love poems dedicated to Hansen’s wife,
Kristen. The brilliance of these outshines even the sunshine in Hansen’s earlier poems:
“The center of our universe holds two hearts deeply entwined, but independent. Our
hearts are multicolored, tender, passionate.”

Moonlight in My Eyes is a collection to be savored. Its simple language and vivid
imagery reveal new epiphanies of emotion with each re-read. Hansen uses his poetry to
evoke emotion and to connect us to the world around us. This book is a must-read for
lovers of nature and poetry alike, and an inspiring reminder of the beauty and mystery
that exist in both the natural world and the human heart.