TANGIBLE THINGS
Glen Fuelner

A Review by Jeani Rector


From the very first page of TANGIBLE THINGS, I was taken by Glen Fuelner’s passion. Here is a writer with emotions that simply burst from the pages. It makes for an exciting read.

TANGIBLE THINGS comes in two parts: half poetry and half prose.

The poetry works even for those who don’t think they like poetry, mainly because Fuelner writes about insight into the soul. I find ME in these verses; I find myself thinking, "How did he know I felt like that?" Fuelner has a way of capturing emotions that make his writing seem very personal, which is no easy feat to achieve. He touches on longing for love, shyness and insecurities, and reaching out. All are done with a touching beauty and a canvas of painted words that flow smoothly and creatively.

Of the poetry, there are so many fine examples from which to choose, but I will list one or two. One line in 'Pigtails and Courage' captures the longing for love: “I met a girl today and wished I was real enough to be charming and fake for her.” 'Everything is Catching' says: “One look in your eyes and I feel undressed, bare to the bone and the soul.” In 'October,' it states: “The breeze blows leaves around my feet and pushes me off the chosen path.” All in all, the poetry touches me, and I think, "This is exactly how I feel; this is me."

Now on to the stories. TANGIBLE THINGS is a short book, containing only 51 pages, and the stories are all just as short. 'Eighteen Visions' is written in the present tense; a collage of descriptions where its strength is in its beauty. The story 'Pixie Dust' describes a toxic sensuality for Ashley that becomes an addiction, with words like: “Your lovely Chernobyl kisses have stained my cheek. What happened to you? What happened to me?”

All in all, TANGIBLE THINGS is an artistic book throughout. It is a moving portrayal of our innermost thoughts, and although in no way is it typical story-telling; it is for those who want insight into the soul.