“Voluptuous lies” By R. Nikolas Macioci

Review by LB Sedlacek

R. Nikolas Macioci has crafted a set of poems in this new collection that balances delicate emotions with a sparkling clarity. The poems are powerful yet eloquent. Each poem thrives with the touch of expression as well as an organic but immediate ease of connection.

The sense of his lines, with an almost lyrical touch to them, softens the emotions contained within each poem. The images are clear and only exemplified by the overall meaning of the poem as a whole.

Macioci touches upon an emotional depth of human experience. His words tap into truth and subtexts while delicately touching upon raw moments. There is a refined simplicity to each offering in this new book.

The poet writes in an almost prose like style. Each poem presents a visual look into snapshots of his life. They offer observed moments inviting readers to explore the poet’s look into personal impressions.

From the poem “Suicide Lounge”:

“I used to lay them out in the back room,

a space adjoined to my classroom.

The students represented poor families

and wealthy ones. The proliferation

of drugs in the 1970s captured headlines.

I don’t know where the money came from,

but many of my students afforded the cost

of a high, a fix that sent them into

my metaphorical arms for help.

I became the safety net beneath

their drug-addled, tightrope walk.”

Macioci is exceptionally gifted with the concise punch to the gut. His economical use of language only serves to broaden the readers response to this poetical impact. Feelings offered up in the poems seem more direct than sentimental. There is a controlled vulnerability to each line that gives it a measured thought of a personal insight or perhaps a metaphor or certain relatable perspective.

Each verse depends on the other while each verse is relative to the other. Each word has an equal as well as maybe an opposite reaction. It is an intimate as well as thought provoking work overall.

“Voluptuous Lies” not only gives to the reader, but causes them to receive this awesome emotional surprise so they can relate to what they’re reading. The poems seem to launch into verses that cause the reader to pause, breathe and maybe take a closer look into what they usually perceive to be true.

This poetry book is a natural fit for readers drawn to quiet reflection. Macioci offers a layered look beneath his words into softly constructed poems that resonate and linger long afterwards.

~LB Sedlacek is the author of several books of poetry including “Unresponsive Sky,” “Poem Medicine,” “The Poet Next Door,” “Simultaneous Submissions,” and “Ghost Policy.” Her short stories books include “The Jackalope Committee & Other Stories” and “The Renovator & Motor Addiction.” Her poem novel is “The Blue Eyed Side.”