Customer Reviews

Transfiguration Begins at Home

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...especially with mothers, one supposes from "Transfiguration Begins at Home," and the general topic has served poets for eons. "Transfiguration" rates much better than most anthologies on the theme. The collection reads not only quite smoothly, but also reasonably straight through as a story. Sprinkled with subtle, but naughty thoughts, Estha Weiner's book also packs the right amount of spice.

The writer's short-line style in most of her poems lets the reader quite nicely absorb the author's thoughts, as well as feel the cadences. Often we wee phrases that hit the spot right on. E.g., in "Named for a New England Milltown," she writes of new American immigrant elders, "...their voices paved with gold...". Also, in remarking on pizza parlors,

"...whose absence I might
also mourn, less fiercely."

Weiner mixes light with heavy, viewed differently depending on the reader's own history. "The Bar That Never Closes," and "If You Don't Like the Weather" fall smack into this description.

So why do poets spend so much time, paper, and mental capital on parental relationships and stories (or lack thereof)? Weiner does not really end up saying. Goodness, if she did, fewer customers would buy "Transfiguration." You should, though. Go buy one right now and enjoy the evening.