Wet Cement: A Mix of Concrete Poems is like any book of poetry; Some I liked and others I did not enjoy. This is mostly since the subjects can be less than relatable. And yet, at the same time, we know almost everything that is included. But why they are not relatable is the real issue. These are not just a poem about a plane taking off, or a balloon or about autumn. They are shaped poems. This means each poem is shaped like the object or takes on a shape associated with that item.
Such as Icicles looks like several icicles lined up, dripping and straight. The dripping is shown by breaking up the sideways line (the poem starts on the right page and moves back to the left) or breaking up a word. Such as Takeoff has the flow of a plan taxiing then moving up towards the sky. (Due to my sensory issues, this “rollercoaster” effect made me a bit queasy). Therefore, not everyone is going to like the way the poems are made as they can be hard to read. Perhaps one of the hardest to read was Crosswords as I am still not sure where one word fits into the pattern.
This unique format of each poems lends itself to an older audience. The adult even might get more out of it than a child. Due to language, format and lack of traditional illustrations this is not an easy book, but it is an interesting book. It would be good way to teach forms of poetry even in high school or higher. You can show that not all poems have to be “boxed”, rhyme or even about “lofty things” (one poem is about a clock). And you can show that you can even write a poem about poetry itself.
Bob Raczka has kept his readers guessing and enjoying on each page.