Eye Level: Poems

Xie begins her first full length collection exactly where she needs to – the speaker immersed in a foreign land with a mouth that “spends the only foreign words it knows.” Apropos, because Xie’s poetry is astoundingly spare. This is not to say that it is faux-deep or falsely wise. Xie takes us through gut-punch imagery like pigs riding on the backs of motorcycles or street dogs pink with mange. And then the unfortunate brilliance of the truism, “Love’s laws are simple. The leaving take the lead./The left-for take a knife to the knots of narrative.” These poems are chiseled down wonders that cut right to the core of the matter, both when you want them to and when you don’t. Xie is a major voice we should be thankful to have.

Jenny Xie's Eye Level is a journey through landscapes both physical and emotional, where each poem unfolds like a vivid snapshot of cities and selves in flux. Xie's ability to merge the external world with inner contemplation is masterful, offering a poignant exploration of identity and belonging amidst the transient allure of travel. Her precise language and evocative imagery make this collection a must-read for anyone seeking poetry that resonates long after the pages are turned.

This succinct collection of unassuming studies in solitude is threaded with an eye motif and observed by a traveler straddling eastern and western cultures. It looks outward, inward, and at looking itself to understand place and purpose. There are poems within poems; often a scene is set that culminates in a haiku or similar form. Direct and poignant in what isn't said. Would highly recommend.I read the Kindle version (on my 7th generation Paperwhite), which instructs you to adjust device settings so that all of a provided text fits on one line in order to best match the author's intent. However, even at the smallest font size, this text does not fit on one line no matter the font. This oversight did not affect my enjoyment of the poems, but there were obviously cases where lines overflowed, particularly onto the next page. If you're torn between print and digital versions (and I almost always recommend digital to avoid physical clutter), this might be a case where print is more desirable.

Delightful collection of poems that are similar and dissimilar to each other all at once and brings in juxtapositions such as thought and non thought (in zen meditation). I felt like I was traveling in Vietnam or somewhere in SE Asia going through the imaginary and sharp, keen details.

Simply the best new poetry I have read in years. A glittering literary star has appeared.Celebrating presence in absence and vice versa, inside and outside together, Xie works poetic alchemy with soul healing power.If transformative art is among the things you cherish, you must have this book!

This book shows not only a mastery of language and form, but of voice. One of my favorite books of poems from this past year.

Too often the Academy of American Poets' taste and my taste in poetry are far apart. In the case of Eye Level we are much closer. I very much enjoyed reading Jenny Xie's poems. My mind was stimulated by her word usage and how she structured her thoughts in the poems. I would say I connected more on an intellectual level than an emotional level, so 4 out of 5 stars. The collection is well worth your money and time.

Highly evocative of time and place; intensely personal "no-self" perspective--unique.

A poet that arrives fully mature. Elegant. Thoughtful. Varied. Beautiful.

It is delicate yet full bodied reading experience.

Didn’t get a feel from it, didn’t captivate me. I sure it will work for some folk though. Oh well......