The Lament: Selected Poems and Prose

A Sensuous Exploration of Love in All Its Glory

The Lament captures the full range of emotion that whirl around human relationships. Here are dozens of poems examining the profound joy of those deeply in love, the incredible longing of the separated partner, the intense loneliness of modern working life, and - above all - the indisputable necessity of connecting with people around us. Poet Ercell H. Hoffman casts a penetrating gaze on our everyday emotions, revealing our extraordinary capacity for feeling, empathy, and love.

In 'Lost to the Moment,' the speaker relishes the irreplaceable first blush of fledgling love that sweeps through her body 'like a cool summer breeze.' 'This Afternoon' explores the painful possibilities of a love that might have been - that 'I knew could not blossom.' 'Stay Heart Stay' is about the undying fire for another that refuses to be extinguished despite considerable hurdles. Meanwhile, other poems examine relationships in the contemporary workplace, revealing a deeply unsatisfying existence: 'The Factory' looks at the peculiarly disconnected relationships among underappreciated factory workers, while 'On the JOB' tackles the boredom of a career that's anything but busy.

Chock full of penetrating insights into the heart, The Lament is about our most basic needs: finding and keeping love and obeying your inner truth.