Rare Earths
Deena Linett

Rare Delight – Before I picked up Deena Linett’s book of poems, I had the pleasure of hearing her read at The Cliff Dwellers club downtown. The artist Aimée Picard had incorporated some of Linett’s poetry into a series of daring and delicate textile pieces titled, “Material Evidence.” The other guests and I enjoyed strolling around – and even beneath – the breathtaking art exhibit before we crowded into the Louis Sullivan room to hear Linett. The one-two punch of the evening – art mixed with poetry, poetry combined with art – should have prepared me for the delights of “Rare Earths” but I was still surprised. The collection is layered with narrative and point of view and voice – and meaning. These poems carry the fullness of a good novel.