The poet knows and shares that verse is the language of the emotions of life. Remo Perini does justice to his emotions in Evens and Beginnings: A Collection of Odds and Ends, a beautiful collection of poems about love, death, divorce, capitalism, loneliness, suicide, finding peace, frogs, and so much more. The poems are all significant, speaking about the journey through life and how all seek to find purpose, how some find it and others don't. It's a mixture of short and long poems that keeps you engaged. Evens and Beginnings is deep, eloquent, and meaningful. Perini touches on the trials, triumphs, and hurdles we all face. Every poem is special and unique. Perini beautifully articulates his perceptions of life experiences that are relatable. The way Perini envisions these experiences captures the beauty of even the darker and trying emotions. The images Perini included to accompany each poem were carefully selected to complement the poetry. Perini is an outstanding writer who can communicate positive and negative emotions charmingly. This book is filled with emotionally resonant, profoundly thoughtful, contemplative, well-written, well-conceived poems.

The poems themselves represent many styles. Free verse, lilting rhyming verse, epistolary verse, this collection is a mirage of poetic happenings and styles, just as the title suggests. The sentiments express life in its fullness, spanning the wide panorama of emotions from pure joy to heart-breaking sadness, from love to disappointment and disillusionment. The poems are pure, raw, and sometimes harsh, reflecting life in its fullness. There are simple pleasures, too. Like music: "A tune is tasted, tingling time, To an open ear, a taste of brightness, An absolute abounding rhyme." Perini begins with a touching dedication to his mother and all she was and still is; a creative force that set the standards high for both her sons, especially the poet himself. His Dedication and Foreword read like a brief memory that is continued in his poetic renditions. Spellbinding and thought-provoking, this collection of poetry might be the odds and ends that its subtitle suggests, and a poignant metaphor for life.

The book opens with "This Is," a contemplative poem marveling at the wonder of creation. "The Profit Prophet" is a sharp critique of the relentless pursuit of material possessions that bring neither happiness nor fulfillment. "Nobody" follows the everyday life of a broken man lost in the pit of despair and loneliness. "Our Country 'Tis" lays bare the faults, struggles, hopes, and dreams of America as a country and what it strives to be. "'Til Death Do Us Part" speaks of the slow deterioration of a relationship built on love and trust. "Calamity and Chaos" delves into the rigors of our day-to-day lives filled with stress, anxiety, and anger. "Mirror" encourages readers to look twice into their beliefs.

Evens and Beginnings is a thoughtful and poignant poetry collection that leaves you with a lot to think about. Remo Perini's mesmerizing verses will strike a chord in your heart and force you to introspect. Stylistically, some of the poems are experimental, with non-rhythmic verses and non-traditional structures. While some of them have clearly discernable topics and subject matter, others are more abstract. Despite the similar underlying theme of the nature of existence and the exploration of the human condition, every single one feels unique and brings something of its own to the narrative.

Evens and Beginnings is highly recommended to poetry lovers.