Poetry, indeed, all written words, in whatever form, are a means of creating a sense of place, a sense of well-being, and an existence worth sharing. Words are like music, lyrical and succinct, thorough in their metaphorical essence. In Sera Maddox Drake’s Excavations, words are used to express archaeological attributes of a life lived well. Love, passion, mere existence, and observations of the world around us are topics that inspire this poetic artist. “And the silken chords of music/ played only for us, rippling like a living tapestry/ in the night.” Nature at its finest is revered in powerful metaphors: “The scent is narcotic, all white petals/ and honey. It suggests dreams. There are poppies, too.” The world’s beauty and effervescence allude to perfection.

Sera Maddox Drake’s book, Excavations, is a collection of poetry that spans the poet/writer’s life. Since the poems define the poet, they speak like archaeological artifacts, thoroughly enhancing an already creative outpouring of life. They have a powerful control of words that express emotions and sentiments that circumnavigate neuroqueer perspectives. Their use of metaphors and similes is paramount to their view of life and the world around them: “These my offerings,/ tiny and fragile, they must take root.” Musical analogies are well constructed: “Three silver notes, moonlit agony,/ falling tears from the lyre.” Sounds pervade their choice of words. The poems are a mixture of free verse, narrative, and structured forms. This is a book to be savored, one poem at a time, over and over again.

Immerse yourself in an eclectic collection of poems and celebrate the different facets of love with Sera Maddox Drake's introspective, poetic musings in Excavations. "A Passion" explores the deep anguish and longing felt by someone in the absence of their lover. The narrator calls upon their other self in search of their better nature in "Courting The Muse." In "Bird Watching," the narrator expresses interest in a new hobby and ends up shocking friends. "It Is The Beginning Of The End" conveys the feelings of a person haunted by the last vestiges of a broken relationship. The narrator shares the sudden desire to eat trees in "Vegetarianism." Love can be a source of great inspiration, beautifully shown through the poem "It Is Love That Possesses Me To Write."

Full of heart and passion, Excavations takes you on a poetic odyssey you don't want to end. Sera Maddox Drake showcases a distinctive flair in poetry and experiments with a range of styles and rhythmic structures in a collection of poems rich in themes and deeply moving. The author touches upon topics such as love, longing, desire, relationships, and more with mesmerizing verses that leave a mark on the reader. The poetic storytelling is fascinating. While some of Drake's poems may feel abstract, most of these poetic narratives are driven by powerful themes and ideas related to relationships and the human condition. The poetry is both confessional and introspective, narrated through the point of view of a neuroqueer observer. Poetry enthusiasts should not miss out on this collection!