A Series of Small Boxes

Poetry. In Thomas Devaney's remarkable second collection of poems, A SERIES OF SMALL BOXES, he tells us, "Pack your songs, fringe history of television,/ kindergarten constructions, extra socks--/ somehow it all will fit; and what doesn't/ you can bring along too if you'd like." Devaney has the gentle grace of Rilke combined with the wisdom of Solomon. For this he is irresistible. "[His poems] are vulnerable, pleasurable, tolerant, wary and contemporary"--Fanny Howe. "The poems are resonant patches of serious life, almost as buoyant as dreams. Their light graces remain etched in the mind"--John Ashbery.