By Cynthia Solis
Poetry can become extremely cliché if not written with a strong theme and tone in mind— unfortunately, “Some Things I Still Can’t Tell You” by Misha Collins is an example of this.
Collins is an author, actor, and baker, widely known for his appearance in Supernatural as the character Castiel.
He has been published in the Columbia Poetry Review, Pearl, and California Quarterly.
The book is 144 pages of poems that depict small observations and musings; all are the basis of things that happened to Collins, providing a raw look into the author’s life and private thoughts.
Some poems show a simple blade of grass drifting on a sidewalk, while others discuss more serious topics like loneliness and mourning.
While some poems are very beautifully written and will have any reader in tears, some poems give the feeling that Collins is trying so hard to sound poetic that he emphasizes something as simple as a blade of grass and tries to relate existentialism.
This poetry leaves the reader wanting more.
Although poetry books do not need to have a set theme that each poem follows, it is easier for the reader.
While reading this book, it seems as though the poems are strewn together in a mishmash fashion.
Seeing that this poem is divided into various sections and each has a different theme, it isn’t completely random and adds a bit of order.
The problem is that some of the poems in the section aren’t wholly related to the section topic, so following along is somewhat tricky.
That being said, many of the poems are beautifully written, and he can articulate his feelings beautifully.
For example, the poem titled “These Hours” is a phenomenal poem about love and wanting another chance with his significant other so that he could better love her.
It showcases the importance of valuing a person’s important other and suggests that they do better in remembering the little things even when life gets tough.
Something that is not typically seen in poetry books is poems dedicated to people who doubted the writer.
Collins has a poem called “Negative Basis,” which depicts a person who bluntly asks, “Why should anyone read what you write?”
It shows the acceptance Collins undergoes.
That every writer has to at one point in time, allowing him to exude confidence.
The poem portrays the idea of living in the moment and not taking anything for granted.
This idea is seen throughout the poem, beginning when Collins discusses his relationship with his wife and watching his babies grow up.
At first, he seems almost irritated by how much attention they need to realize they are growing up and wish more time with them.
The reader who is a fan of Misha Collins, they will become witnesses to some “Easter eggs” about his life.
However, if the reader is not a fan, they will be subjected to a variety of mundane yet thought-provoking prose.
Overall, this poetry book is not the best poetry book on the market but worth reading, especially if the reader is a fan of Collins.