A Wigwam for a Goose's Bridle

Almost 20 years ago, sitting next to my best friend in a philosophy class in high school, I reached into her desk and pulled out the novel she was reading for her English class. Hidden in my lap, I devoured it in that 40 minute period. The Simple Gift by Stephen Herrick was my introduction to the concept of a novel in verse. Coleridge once stated that poetry was the best words in the best order, and this surprisingly simple novel proved this beyond a doubt as it touched me deeply and I had to hide my tears from the teacher.

A week ago I walked past a local street library and an author’s name caught my attention. Stephen Herrick. By the River is another novel in verse. And today has echoed that day from a score years ago – I’ve sat with my coffee, enthralled, touched and crying, devouring this in just under an hour.