West of Yesterday, East of Summer: New and Selected Poems (1973-1993)

Rating:
Summary: Powerfully Lyrical Poems...
Review: Many of the poems in this book are (by nature of their topic) full of feeling to the point where any gay man will be brought to tears. Monette's poems have powerful imagery and a lyrical quality like that of dreams and nightmares.

The "Elegies for Rog" were written during the death and dying of Monette's partner during his bout with AIDS and will serve as comfort and empowerment to anyone in the face of despair.

After having fallen in love with Monette's poetry, I later came across his autobiography, "Becoming a Man : Half a Life Story." It brings out topics prevalent in homosexuality and coming of age which are too often supressed by the mistakenly common 'gay lifestyle.'

As a poet, I highly recommend both of these books.