Sketches and notebooks …

… ‘The Flame’ burns up the poetry scene | The Daily Texan. (Hat tip, Rus Bowden.)

“The Flame” is arranged in a way that keeps the reader engaged throughout the 288-page collection. With Cohen’s drawings appearing every few pages, the eight sections of poetry and lyrics flow seamlessly into one another. Some other poetry collections feel overwhelming with page upon page of text blocks that seem arranged without regard to topic. This isn’t the case with “The Flame.” The drawings, which are matched with poems of similar subject matters, serve as punctuation marks between the topics of the writing. Its arrangement allows the reader a sort of palate cleanser before moving onto the next selection, like a slice of ginger between courses.