A review of Ralph Haselmann, Jr.'s ( the founder of www.lucidmoonpoetry.com) new book of poetry.

Wounded Heart, Naked Soul. Poems by Ralph Haselmann, Jr. ( Xlibris Corporation 1-888-7-xlibris www.xlibris.com orders.xlibris.com) $21 postage and handling 137 pages

Part of being a poet is letting yourself be vulnerable. As Frost said, "A poem is a lover's quarrel with the world." The poet then must engage what he loves in a sort of battle, questioning his own being, the random injustices of a chaotic world, and the list goes on. In Wounded Heart, Naked Soul Haselmann does just this. He lays his cards out on the table. Whether wrestling with his own sexuality or his mental illness, Haselmann exposes his wounds to the open air, and at times rages at his fate. Despite this, the poet, a spurned lover of sorts, still engages the world and revels in its infinite possibilities. This is evidenced in his poem " So Much In Life To Do," So much in life to do/ so much in life to see/ Run, don't walk/ anxious to be." After the horrible car accident that Haselmann survived and is still recovering from, we all hope he realizes what he will "be"and in short order.

Doug Holder