JUST IN PASSING by Joseph Roccasalvo showcases a striking talent for the formal style in poetry. The collection is masterful for employing rhyme, meter, and the wordplay of puns and paradox.
In the celebration of the highs and lows of romance and abiding friendship, the poems are subtle and emotional, complex but always comprehensible. They share the gift for point and counterpoint in their musical precision. The playful wit, conspicuous in the poems about friendship, captivates the astute reader.
JUST IN PASSING will inspire those who have a zest for the poetic craftsmanship of rhyme and meter.
Thank you so much for sending your book of poetry, Just In Passing. It is a real gift. Your reflections on life’s end, the process of aging, and facing whatever is next—the great mystery—are rich, full of candor, never morose, and full of wisdom. I was ill with a long bout of flu when I received your book, but now I’m reading it slowly and reflecting on it more closely. The poem about your sister was especially moving and really struck me. Full of love, you wanted to ‘step into her skin’, but you knew there are parts of our journey when we walk alone. With your help I will feel the journey we all must take to the end.
Rev. Mark Richardson
Would I dare to critique your new collection of poems, Just In Passing? Not even a word or line as I have sometimes done in the past. These poems are inevitable in language and meaning, and I toy with reading one a day at breakfast. I find myself holding on to the book to help me smile at my own eighty years and beyond. “On Guile” strikes a scary note, but many are fundamentally about personal friendship. I love the way it’s explored since I have friends I sometimes find it hard to connect with. Now I can give them a JR poem like “Friday in September” or “Resonance.” I will have them at table to enjoy for a long time.
Jane Merrill