Jay Hopler (1970–2022)

Jay Hopler’s “The Abridged History of Rainfall” is a collection of good poetry: many fine lines and phrases, imagery that is true and right. Many of the poems have a clear voice that is one we want to listen to. Others play with archaic voices or the stylized voice of Wallace Stevens. Sometimes the poet seems to undermine his own poetic eloquence:

“A squadron of dragonflies is darning the darkening/yard” is a fine line, but the poet then says:

“Correction: a squadron of dragonflies is darning the air above the darkening/Yard” —- not as strong an image or conceit.

Given that these are poems mourning the loss of his father, some seem a bit precious and others a bit cold. Hopler is at his most eloquent in simplicity, as in lEpitaph”:

I cannot tell you
How many years I have done
This.

Last year when I did this,
My father was alive.l

Still and all, I recommend the collection. It is honest more than effete, precise more than ironic. How do you effectively speak the absence. “Abridged” is a game attempt.… (més)

Throughout THE ABRIDGED HISTORY OF RAINFALL, Jay Hopler takes you on journey across time, space, and emotion - masterfully capturing the human condition and its impact on the natural world. The poems are full of grieving, wonder (and sometimes consternation) at the small things in life, loneliness, and birds. Hawks, roosters, crows, woodcocks, songbirds, chickens, you name it. There's even a poem, "The Ranges of Birds" that uses onomatopoeia to great effect in describing the sounds of different birds. These attributes are framed around lush descriptions of the interior and natural worlds, especially of locations in Italy and Florida. The wording is so vivid that I could quite easily picture myself in amongst them, smelling the fragrant orange trees and the knocked-over garbage in the streets.

There is a lot of darkness in THE ABRIDGED HISTORY OF RAINFALL, but there's also humor. One sense is really tempered by the other, in the same way that life can be bleak and still bring about silliness and laughter. There is also a strong sense of play throughout, especially through the poet's word choices, rhythms, and creative phrasing. This is an immensely beautiful collection of poetry, and one I know that I will return to again and again.… (més)