Now and Here

<p>In this beautifully presented book poet Naomi Beth Wakan joins photographer Christine Brooks Cote to offer glimpses into their now and here. Wakan wrote tanka-a format of five-line poems originating in Japan-in response to photographs by Cote. Wakan chose this particular format because it starts with an objective description of the image- Early morning / the dew still resting / where it settled-and then pivots to the poet's subjective reaction-would we could wake refreshed / to look at things in new ways. Cote's photographs are the perfect inspiration for a poet-you're looking at my life and what I love; you're seeing bits and pieces of places I have been; and you're catching glimpses of the best moments of my life. The title <em>Now and Here</em> comes from Henry David Thoreau: . . . all these times and places and occasions are now and here.</p>