Where to begin? Creativity abounds in this collection. The name Duets aptly implies what one will unearth within the pages. Melodies explode off the page with each carefully curated artistic interpretation, alongside words that somehow breathe more life into the artwork. Whether poetry or prose, this book is filled with stories that sing. Marques has mastered bookbinding with a creative thread. Page after page, the reader uncovers new delights and dimensions, bringing a real musical quality to this stunning work. In “Praise Rain” (p57) by Kathy Fish, “The fallen and the falling were rain.” one begins to hear soundscapes in the background of the mind. Some works, as in “Help” by Trini Decombe (p95), stop the reader’s breath altogether.

Marques’ artwork is abundant, and it is not easy to select a standout. However, the paper mosaic collage alongside “Barlow Adams’ Tweet” (p14-15) did grant a sort of sangfroid to the poignant tweet, garnering more emphasis. The book closes with a Behind The Scenes look inside the contributors’ artistry, granting a peek inside the creative process from different points of view. Overall, this collaboration is well worth a spot on one’s bookshelf or a coffee table solo.

— Grace Black

Grace Black is the founding editor of Ink In Thirds Magazine and author of two full-length poetry collections.