This book was edited by Jack M. Freedman and illustrated by Jane Butters.

It delights me to see that Staten Island writers have congregated to accumulate, publish, and disperse poetry, artwork and literary works by Staten Island artists by eclectically assorted ethnic backgrounds. Personally, this is a progressive advancement, considering that Staten Island is realizing its own potential in unmasking the many faces and cultures, particularly of the Stapleton populous, despite the media’s betrayal of Staten Island as a Guido-run, mafia settlement.

This artistic compilation spans from Jessica Banta’s Recovery poem, which compares mental illness to an erratic, driven river and Angela Zerega’s Crash Into My Words, a narrative poem which describes one’s struggle with identity, loneliness, and belonging with naturalistic imagery to Melanie Rei’s Surreal poem which captures her transcendental experience, of and relating to the mystery and solitude of nature.

I particularly enjoyed Banta’s simplistic and innocent descriptive poem called the Stale Air/the Hospital Experience. In this poem, Banta draws from the “waiting” one experiences in mental institution confinement. Though most may discern that a mental patient is criminal or dangerous, Banta renders the patient’s vulnerable and helpless point of view, focusing on the endlessness of longing and feelings of unfullfillment.

Tom Weiss, a political activist/freelance writer is a strong advocate and contributor to these compilations. Weiss uses his brilliant mastery of the English language to describe the indifference of government in helping Katrina survivors in his poem called The Girl with the Russian Name.

The book is pleasantly bordered with amateur art, of psychedelic flowers blooming. The general artwork of Jane Butters adds to the personal, journalistic feel of what is written. There are some illustrations by Mitchell Trupia, which illuminates demonic and perverse expressions of human faces. There is one particular illustration by Mitchell Trupia in the book that provokes feelings of crowding and vice. On the bottom of the picture borders a question, which is written backwards: “be fruitful and multiply?”

Overall, the poetry and the general mood of the compilation is skeptical, pain – ridden, and abrasive. This is the anger of Staten Islander’s who strive for change. I would say that this book is a step in the right direction: a fundamental compilation in addressing the internal strivings and community of Staten Island. This is a testament and the celebration of those who can rightfully articulate their personal experiences and proclaim freedom to share such things.

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Major thanks to Jaclyn for writing this.  She is a highly talented singer/songwriter from Staten Island and for further proof of her talent, visit http://www.myspace.com/jaclynshaw