THE HUMAN EQUATION: 3rd Edition

5 Star Review

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Editorial Book Review:

By Pily Rivero

Some books ask to be read. The Human Equation: 3rd Edition asks to be felt. Bob Gossom does not approach poetry as something distant or decorative. He steps straight into the pulse of being alive and invites the reader to stand there with him. What makes this collection stand out is its refusal to hide behind abstraction. It is intimate without being indulgent and reflective without drifting into haze.

Reading it feels like sitting across from someone who has decided to speak honestly, without performance but with rhythm. There is vulnerability in these poems, yet there is also clarity. There are times of tenderness next to times of anger, curiosity, and wonder. There are many levels to the emotional experience. One page might make you remember something quietly, while the next might bring up a memory you didn't expect to have. It makes you think and feel at the same time.

The book is mostly about connection, identity, longing, and the quiet math of relationships. Gossom circles the idea that people shape their lives through things like meeting new people, making mistakes, sharing looks, and being alone. These ideas go beyond just one poem. They ring out into the world around them. People who have struggled with love, loss, ambition, or doubt will see something of themselves in these lines.

Gossom’s style is direct yet textured. His language doesn't use fancy words just for the sake of it. Instead, he uses rhythm, pacing, and sharp images to make his point. Some phrases hit home with a simplicity that lasts longer than fancy language ever could. The structure feels planned but not too strict, which makes the collection feel like it's moving instead of being stuck.

This third edition strengthens the work’s presence and deepens its reach. It reminds us that poetry can still feel urgent and personal. Readers who want something honest, grounded, and quietly powerful will find themselves returning to these pages long after the first reading.