Leaning Willow

This collection has been selected from those poems Douglas has written over the recent years. The influences on his work have ranged from early through medieval to modern. The content reflects critiques of modernity, both its material and metaphysical aspects, as well as issues concerning the fate of being human. Alhough the mood of the book often is somewhat dark, there are moments of pure comedy, such as the poem "I Never Answer Telephones.." The fact that there are seven sections is not accidental. Though each poem may be read in isolation, the collections sections form a moving circle, where each poem becomes the context for all others that precede it and follow it. The multiple levels of meanings are more evident on some pages than on others; some of the symbolism will be more obvious while some may require digging.