Leaning Into It

Poetry from the beloved lead guitarist of the multiplatinum legendary band Triumph Rik Emmett's second collection originated during the dark limbo of COVID-19: 2021-22. Five parts go from autofictional narration to observations on the modern world, moving inside out, then outside in. Eventually, Leaning Into It looks beyond. Leaning Into ... what? The prevailing chaos of narcissistic, egotistical, patrimonial power-mongering lends these poems renewed vitality, as the author's frustration and disappointment with current undemocratic global politics play out. How much leaning gets us a tiny bit closer to wisdom? Emmett favors the balatrones, jesters, fools, poets, comedians, and atheists in his social media feeds. "Power" ignores the balanced values of a sense of humor and a good-natured humility -- but this poetry takes on the world as it is, ultimately leaning into hope.