Mini Essay on The Book of Love and Mourning (prose poems and photographs)

87 pages print 

105 pages electronic 

colour photography 

independent 

publication, (February 2026)

-Brian Barbeito

The book is out and a copy arrived. I think it’s well done in content (the writings and photos) and the physical book looks and feels nice. A large softcover work, perfect to go on coffee tables or carry around, not dissimilar to the first two collections, Still Some Crazy Summer Wind Coming Through, and When I Hear the Night. The covers and the yellow of this one are cheerful and upbeat, positive. 

Plus, it’s different, interesting, and unique. Inside and the actual book as I said. When I think of it; who needs another book that looks like all other books? There are millions that look so regular. Something different has been done! For instance, there are not nearly as many ‘prose’ poets as there are regular poets in the poetry worlds. Secondly, the poet is the photographer and it’s his work (my work), on the covers and throughout. 

Everything about it is original. 

If Tara hadn’t put this volume together, though I had written and photographed and compiled the manuscript, I don’t know if I could have. It takes patience and some technical skill and learning. Also, there is a picture of Bear and one of Paws (next to Raquel’s artwork, a painting of dogs on the wall beside Paw’s cat tree in the picture). So, Bear, nearer the start of his life, represents new beginnings, and Paws closer to the end of his life, the last chapter if one will, is seen dignified and independent and is remembered, honoured, immortalized through this photograph. Love and mourning. We love them of course when they are with us, and we mourn their loss. 

The book works on several levels. Poetry book. Photography book. Travel companion. Coffee table work. Conversation piece. Honoring the past. Acknowledging the present. And looking to the future…

-Brian Barbeito 

February 2026.