“Someone will give you their heart,” writes D. Scott Humphries in “Tarot,” the fifth poem in this collection. Humphries makes good on that prophecy by offering us his heart in every poem in Behind the Falls. What could be a lifetime of goodbyes — school friends such as Goof and Birdie; Miss Lorraine from work; parents and parental figures; a foster son; lovers and loved ones — are not goodbyes after all, but enduring presences, voices that will be with us always, thanks to these evocative and perceptive poems. As the poem “In the Kitchen” assures us, “they are all within reach.”—Jean LeBlanc, author, Our Family Tree and Other Myths“The loom is home and womb, the mother shed carrying the weight.” These words from page one of Behind the Falls gently introduce us to the poet, a weaver whose inner quest then unfolds — shared the way memories arrive, in threads of joy and sorrow, grief and gratitude. Trusting his reader, Humphries doesn’t shy away from the sharp edge of loss, the tender intimacy of love, or the contradictions life throws at us all. Instead, he skillfully crafts a journey of self-discovery in which places and people, nature and human nature, guide the emotional passage. “What have you taught me that has not begun or ended?” the poet asks. Then, with startling imagery, wisdom, wit, and an underlying ache for truth and renewal, he weaves his way to a place he can truly call home.—Jane Ebihara, author, This Edge of Rain and Then Morning AgainBehind the Falls suggests we should prepare now to go on forward, looking back at what is gone “bone to ash, ash to air, air to ghosts.” This is a love letter to fragments of yesterdays. “I can see in the dark, they are all within reach” says the lad who gave his heart. Of course, it would be enough to stop there, but Humphries does not; he is always coming upon more miracles, and he is always saying thank you, thank you, thank you.—Nan Becker, author, Verity Read more
