Alan Shapiro (1) (1952–)

Alan Shapiro has a masterful hand for poetry. I only wish he had sought to include human life in this book. The idea of visiting various locations at night is great, and the locations are emblematic of contemporary American society, but they all feel so sterile without occupation. The occasional human presence is composed of dead-eyed slaves to the worst in our society. I've been out in America at night, and it's not the post-apocalyptic isolation presented here. But the way that Shapiro imbues inanimate objects with human flaws is wonderful, and for that, four stars.… (mere)