Tapas Rueful — A Poetry Book Review
Image from Amazon
Tapas Rueful by Taylor Hagood offers readers an ethereal poetic experience. Each poem gently moves into the other like the Ibis’ footsteps in the poem “Watching in Motion”. From the first, I wanted more from this poet — to follow this lone bird’s journey.
Although I have never been to Florida, the author paints an exquisite portrait of what living there must entail. One of my favorite poems, “Hike into a Medium”, and the first poem in the chapbook, fully captures the beauty of the Cypress tree. The stunning poem also gives the reader a sense of what they can expect going forward.
I love ibises, and it seems Taylor does as well. He captured their elegance, and solitary hunting style in several of the poems, many of which are my favorites among the collection. The grace of this lone bird captured by a single footprint on the Earth in the poem, “Ibis Footprint”.
Tapas Rueful is a quick read but each poem holds much depth. Each line could provoke lively discussions among people that live in that area; however, the beauty of the scenes invites all readers. The poems wrapped me, a foreigner to this land, in a warm blanket of mysterious outcomes and joyful freedom as the Ibis walked gently across the pages.
Leaning into my experience as a competitor, I could easily see this Chapbook as a reference for students in search of poetry for competition. The pieces flow beautifully together and could give the competitor a quality selection for a lively cohesive performance from a single source.
I began reading several of the poems outloud to my husband as I read through the book, and realized that many would be wonderful readings for poetry evenings at a local bookstore or playhouse.
Taylor, you had me at the first poem — captivated, yet feeling like parts were missing, like in “Sun-Dim”, which I would have liked to see expanded. I would have walked a longer road with you.
Tapas Rueful is a sparkling gem from a less familiar poet. I’m so happy I had the opportunity to discover it and Taylor Hagood’s unique, evocative voice.
If it sounds like your kind of read, I encourage you to pre-order your copy on Amazon today! It will go live on August 1, 2026.
Looking for more wonderful poetry and reviews? There’s plenty to find here.
- Comet – Poetry
- Rangikura; an Indigenous Poetry Book Review
- Earth Lessons – Nature Fiction
- Poetry Book Review: The Drum That Beats Within Us
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Sue Cook lives in Freeport, Illinois with her husband Randy and two dogs. Her passions include assistance dogs, rescue dogs, music, acting, theater, poetry, and Doctor Who. She’s been in both film and theater and is a regular cast member of the podcast Doctor Who’s Line is it….Anyway? Sue is an advocate for the use of Service Dogs to assist their disabled handlers to maintain their independence. Quigley’s Quest, her first children’s book, addresses how a dog becomes a Service Dog.
