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Title: Darklight: A Poetic Odyssey into the Wonders of the Cosmic Age Author: Leonard H. Roller Publisher: Frisen Press ISBN: 9781460227855 Pages: 110, Paperback/Kindle Genre: Poetry Reviewed by: Ella Vincent, Pacific Book Review Date Review Completed: March 20, 2014

Darklight: A Poetic Odyssey into the Wonders of the Cosmic Age is an intriguing mix of scientific and spiritual poems. The 77 poems from Leonard H. Roller explore the range of emotions as vast as the universe itself. Rollers poems are an exploration of the mysteries of the universe and nature. Darknights themes run the gamut from the origin of the universe to simple observations of nature. He writes about the mixture of Creationism and the Big Bang Theory in poems like Multiverse: A single universe is not enough/For God- beholds the multiverse! Roller asks provocative questions about the creation of the universe in such an innovative way in his poetry. Other poems, such as Gods Billion Names and Clarkes Math, also show Rollers interest in exploring the balance of spirituality and scientific evidence. Roller writes about serious subjects such as humankinds relations to nature and scientific theories, but with a sly sense of humor readers will appreciate. In poems such as Pluto Demoted, Roller writes about Pluto no longer being considered a planet. Restore dear Plutos planetude/nor let prissy critics views obtrude. The book also has pop-culture references that readers will love, like in Simulation Hypothesis: Maybe The Matrix had it right/Were living in a simulation/imposed by those of greater might/No world, no nation.

The poems have a common theme, but are written in varying forms. From short poems with a few lines to longer poems, Roller has written poems that range from strict classical form to a free contemporary form of poetry. Darklight would be the perfect book for readers who love a mixture of science and poetry, especially fans of Walt Whitmans When I Heard the Learnd Astronomer. Fans of scie nce-inspired poetry from William Wordsworths The Prelude or Astronomy Lesson by Alan Shapiro will also want to add this book to their poetry collections. This book would also be a great addition to poetry classes in universities. Science enthusiasts will also love Darklights themes about the universe. Fans of science shows like Cosmos or famous scientist Neil DeGrasse Tysons books like Space Chronicles will enjoy the injection of humor into scientific exploration. The poems of Darklight are perfect for science experts who want some lyrical interpretations of outer space. Roller has taken complicated subjects and made them entertaining in this collection. Darklight will take readers on a rewarding poetic odyssey to explore the wonders of the universe- and the wonders of poetry.