Buchheit has created a poetry book that is more than rhymes and verses; it’s a calendar of celebrations. Many are probably familiar with “National Days,” where each date of the year has something to celebrate that isn’t just a major holiday. For example, National Bird Day takes place on January 5. Buchheit took that and created original poetry to go with these days while adding art to each poem. In the case of National Bird Day, Buchheit pairs his poem “Harmonies” with late nineteenth-century artist Fidelia Bridges’ Songbirds in a Woodland Marsh. It’s an admirable feat to not only research each day of the year and come up with 365 poems while also trying to find art to match the topic. It’s worth mentioning that not all days are merry either. For instance, November 30 is Victims of Chemical Warfare Day.

All of Buchheit’s hard work pays off because, in the end, he has crafted an enjoyable collection. Each poem lifts off the pages with intensity and emotion. Readers will notice that Buchheit meticulously crafts each poem from start to finish. There is no rushing of words. Everything seems to be well thought out. Another thing that stands out is how some poems feel like one is reading works from Longfellow or Bryon, especially “On Passing through the Morning Woods.” The poem was created for Take a Hike Day, which takes place on November 17. One of the many powerful works in the collection is “1890,” which, in U.S. History, was the year that the Wounded Knee Massacre occurred. It will no doubt make the reader feel sorrow and outrage. Overall, readers will find the book of great interest and might even learn a few things along the way, especially with the more obscure national holidays.

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