By Onkar Sharma

Taylor Dibbert’s “Takoma” offers readers a collection of intimate snapshots, moments plucked from the stream of daily life and presented with a disarming simplicity. The poems, often brief and direct, feel like eavesdropped conversations or fleeting thoughts captured on the page. Dibbert excels at finding the extraordinary within the ordinary, whether it’s the surprise of a loved one’s declaration in “Shower Surprise” or the quiet comfort of “Sunday Morning With London”. There’s an undeniable warmth that permeates many of these pieces, a gentle appreciation for the small joys and connections that weave through our days. The recurring presence of “London,” seemingly a beloved companion, adds a layer of tenderness and vulnerability to the collection, particularly in the later, more poignant poems.  

Despite its simplicity and seemingly effortless style, the poetry collection emerges as a profound medium, infusing daily moments with grace and significance. While some pieces may read more like journal entries than fully realised poetic compositions, their refreshing essence uplifts the reader’s spirit with remarkable ease. Consider the poem “Car Space”:

He’s getting ready
For a trip
Outside of the
Takoma bubble,
He’s mostly packed
And ready to go
Has all of
London’s things
Neatly organized too. 

While it captures a mundane moment of preparation, it goes deeper, striking a universal chord that resonates with readers on a different tangent.

The collection’s emotional landscape, while sincere, occasionally treads familiar ground. Themes of love, loss, and the mundane struggles of daily life are present, but at times deviate from a distinctive or surprising perspective. However, the later poems concerning London’s illness and passing carry a genuine emotional weight. They succeed in their purpose by benefitting from a more nuanced exploration of grief and attachment. The raw emotion is evident in “A Tough Night”:

London is having
A difficult night,
The pain medication
Doesn’t seem
To be
Working that well
And they have
Been out a bunch
Because she has
An upset stomach

Despite everything, “Takoma” possesses a genuine heart. Dibbert’s sincerity shines through, and there’s a palpable sense of connection to the moments he shares. The collection offers glimpses into a life lived with quiet observation and a capacity for finding beauty in the everyday. While not every poem hits its mark, the collection as a whole provides a gentle and often moving reading experience, particularly for those who appreciate poetry that finds its power in the understated and the familiar. It’s a collection that feels honest and human, even if it occasionally leaves the reader wanting a deeper dive.