Customer Reviews

The Watchers

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Tucker's poems offer surprises of perspective, from the view point of the observer, and from who or what is observed. The interactions of sometimes several sets of observers, as in "Holding Patterns," reverberate from the last line of the poem, "but there are other burials," to the beginning. In "Ghosts," silent grandmothers reflect from the polished surfaces of spoons.

This collection explores histories, places and family ties through apt, many layered use of detail. The image itself can be haunting: "From what overflow of desire--/this tired woman/ nightly turning emptiness into white azaleas-" At other times the speaker draws us into an insight, "After you learn the words, the play changes," and leaves us looking, searching, for more. A great book!

Tucker's poems prove themselves rewarding for the reader who is willing to look closely at the world. Her poems seem to beckon the unwavering stare. One of her speakers admits, "Now I'm the last one in the museum. No one sees / a woman searching wall after wall as if for lost children." One sometimes feels that same sense of urgency reading this collection, looking into the truths and untruths of the world, some simple, some fragmented, some hopeful, others harsh and cruel.

This collection explores the ways of seeing and the ways of being seen. Ghosts of grandmothers stare down; Miss Dalton dances for us all, and the skull of a Saber-Toothed Tiger is on display. Tucker's awareness of place, history, and familiy ties, as well as her lyrical sensibilities and fine use of detail, work together to keep the reader returning for more.

In her poem about Rabun Gap, Tucker writes, "Mist / clings to our hands, softly brushes our bodies / in the places air had touched / without our notice." Tucker's poems are like the mist she describes. They brush against us. They softly call us to take notice. An excellent book!

I think that this book was one of the best that I have ever read.It deals with real life issues like peer pressure and family problems such as divorce and deaths. It also deals with emotional issues like depression,guilt,and sorrow.The people are also realistic,none of them are like the nice little perfect people tht you see in things like fairy tales.Over all if you are looking for a realistic and cleverly written book this is the one you should be looking for.

I thought this book was really good.I read the whole thing,and I don't like reading that much.If I had to sit down every nite and read this book again i would.I would recomend the watcher for every person that wants to read a good tale.