Title: The Evenings and the Mornings
Author: Ilya Sapozhnikov
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 978-1-9845-4231-1
Pages: 96
Genre: Poetry
Reviewed by: Tara Mcnabb

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In an emotional rendering of family, love and loss, The Evenings and the Mornings, uses poetry to examine the human condition from an immigrant’s perspective. Having immigrated to the USA from Russia in 1991, the Ilya Sapozhnikov has unique experiences to share from growing up as an immigrant in a foreign country. This is his first book of poetry, and it’s already safe to say that the author has a talent for metaphorical expressions. The universal themes presented throughout the book ensure that readers from all walks of life will relate on some level; whether it be on the subject of childhood memories, grief, or religion. Although there is a general melancholy mood in most of the poems, it is also a feeling of remembrance, of times gone by, and sometimes of regrets. It is about the love we carry in our hearts for our deceased parents or family members as we continue our journey alone.

Accepting our mortality is one of the heavier topics the author tends to focus on. He doesn’t hold back in expressing his frustrations with getting older and his struggle to reconcile his aging body with his youthful spirit. There is a subtle sense of resentment at being helpless, with no control over the continuing march of time. For most people, getting older tends to trigger nostalgia for our past, no matter how troubling it may have been. We long to know our ancestors; how they lived, what they believed, and how their actions may have shaped who we are. This is certainly true of this poetry collection, and the author’s sense of reverence for his parents is both touching and heartbreaking: “…. When he finished the story, The warmth of his hand and the reassurance of his protection— All this is alive in me today, Sixty-five years later.” There are vivid descriptions of the author’s family history and of WW. One particular poem is devastating in its detail of the terror inflicted by Nazi Germany. Several family members were killed during this time, and the sense of loss is deeply felt. Yet there is a surprising tone of resilience and pride from having survived such a dangerous period which is reflected in the final lines.

The Evenings and the Mornings is a stirring poetry collection that captures one man’s search for meaning, and make an indelible impression on all people fortunate to read this book.