Chasing Echoes

Chasing Echoes Passionately Brings The Past To The Present Through Nature. Walt Barger Sees Himself In The Ocean That . . . Continues To Roll Waves To An Empty Beach In The Dawn That . . . Neatly Fold[S] The Blanket Of Stars. . . In The West... His Words Gracefully Balance The Self In Nature . . . Like The Spindle Of A Fine Time Piece. Barger'S Poetry Evokes The Simplicity Of A Past Both Rural And Southern. Whether He Is Describing Overalls Or A Weather Worn Piano Objects Take On Presence. The Language Is Vivid With A Sense Of History That Is Personal And Connected. Poems Like Bib With Buttoned Fly Vividly Speak Of His Memories At Eight Years Old Of Owning A New Pair Of Overalls In Crisp Sharp Lines. The Poem I Wish You Bluebirds Is A Poem With Surprising Freshness In The Lines When ... Thoughts Are Stumbling Over Stones Of Clay I Wish You Bluebirds To Sing And Pave The Way. Walt Barger Has A Great Sense Of Place. Walking Through His Poetry You See Family Friends And Neighbors. His Use Of Description Takes Us Home. Margaret Britton Vaughn Poet Laureate Of Tennessee