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Hansen has created a book-length poem about his friendship with a woman named Joann. The book is also dedicated to her. The work is divided into parts, which are the various roles he sees himself in their relationship. These are Father, Mother, Brother, Child, Lover, and Friend. It's an interesting way for Hansen to reflect on how he sees himself in their relationship, as well as on his family members and how they affect his life.
Everything leads back to the poet's feelings for Joann. His role differs in each chapter. At times it's just an innocent friendship, and at other times it's a passionate love affair. The reader sees each different side and grows with the poet. For example, the Father part is about Hansen as a mentor in Joann's life. The shift in roles is what makes this work riveting. This is an exploration of the poet's love for Joann across various aspects, blending realism and fantasy.
Hansen has a good grasp of his thoughts and feelings. Every part of the poem feels as if it were written with great fervor. Even though this sounds cliché, the words literally leap right off the page. Hansen does a good job of painting pictures of idyllic childhood summers to heated love affairs. There are also several instances in which readers are told that Joann has "saved" or "helped" Hansen's life. Overall, this is a well-written, beautiful, and fresh work about relationships and how they can change someone's personal world. Poetry lovers won't want to sleep on this one.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review