The world is full of imagery, that which we see and that which we imagine. In Enise Agel’s Have You Seen The Ocean In Your Eyes?, the poet guides readers on a path least traveled that allows one to witness real life through imaginative impulses. Imagination is a great gift and without it what are we but mere icons of daily rituals. The poems map out a diary of life, like the grand opera of the ocean, whether we can see it in real life, or, if more distant from our dwelling, we can only see it through our imaginations. It’s there, full of color and energy. The ocean is life eternal: “I’d like to know the Oceanus/ I’d dive into the Atlantic Ocean.” What would you do if you could see the ocean in your eyes?

Enise Agel’s chapbook, Have You Seen The Ocean In Your Eyes?, is a collection of poems that span the world in which we live as it parallels the world about which we dream and imagine. The poet uses multiple forms of poetry: free verse, measured stanzas, and even plots the stanzas at random across the page. Each poem is a metaphor for life or one particular element of life the poet lives well. It reads like a diary, but it’s also very wishful, hoping that imagination can cure the mundane pulse of the world as it actually is. Would it be better if the life lived were the one we imagined? Like “A white dandelion dances with wind/ The flow and all dust’ seeds are rich/ Flawless when it goes out of my mind.” The dandelion is a nuance of “playfulness of things.” And I particularly like this analogy with music: “If all the words were songs,/ Our brains would often sing.” And what a song they’d sing. A very reflective collection of poems about life.

Have You Seen The Ocean In Your Eyes? by Enise Agel is a collection of poems that captures the author's life experiences and the facets of different scenery. The book hooks readers with relatable observations and an engaging, natural writing style. In some poems, Enise shares thoughts that bring our attention to the physical world, like in the poem The Central House. Here, Enise talks about the blank space where "faded houses are gray." We also find poems about well-known places, like a poem about England and another about the Colosseum in Rome. Other poems are clearly abstract, with the author elaborating on such concepts as time, momentum, and eternity. Whether Enise is pondering thought-provoking concepts or dwelling on the intricacies of the world's beauty, the poems are designed to awaken the poetry fan and the writer in you.

The author's words are carefully chosen and structured to leave a lasting impression on the reader. I connected with the poem titled Momentum: "A few days ago, or weeks, months, many hours." The poem made me realize that time can be tricky, since a memory from childhood can feel like just a moment ago, and a few minutes can feel like hours. Furthermore, the book uses simple words and ideas that will appeal to a wide range of readers, even those who aren't core poetry fans. Prepare to be captured by the beauty of the sun, flowers, and other aspects of the natural world in this sensational poetry collection. Finally, the artistic descriptions of man-made structures, as well as Enise Agel's philosophical lines, make Have You Seen The Ocean In Your Eyes? a collection worth enjoying and sharing with others.

Have You Seen The Ocean In Your Eyes? by Enise Agel is a collection of original poems that are beautifully diverse, spanning various lengths, tones, and poetic forms. Most poems are written in free verse, though there are also works in rhyming quatrains and rhyming stanzas. For example, A Loud Bang is a free verse poem that depicts an abandoned house haunted by memory and loss, with an unopenable door symbolizing unresolved grief. Renaissance, written in rhyming quatrains, leans into emotional healing through imagery of birds and nectar. Wish is a piece that speaks on alternative realities and emotions, blending regret with a yearning for transformation in rhyming stanzas. The Finest Hours, another free verse poem, takes readers on a nostalgic walk through London with its evening light and the passage of time.

Have You Seen The Ocean In Your Eyes? is a striking poetry collection that is a testament to both Enise Agel's prolific output and genuine skill. Agel’s use of metaphor and symbolism is particularly notable, found wonderfully in works like The Colosseum, a meditation on peace and the meaning of life, framed by the historical and symbolic significance of the Roman Colosseum. The poems are filled with vivid, emotional depth, drawing the reader in with each turn. As a Londoner with a love for literature, my personal favorite is Shakespeare Globe, where Agel walks us through South London, moving through spaces tied to Shakespeare’s legacy, and ending by the River Thames. Each piece is uniquely crafted, and Agel’s ability to evoke a depth of feeling in words that embody a series of moments makes this collection a must-read for lovers of contemporary poetry.

Have You Seen the Ocean in Your Eyes? by Enise Ağel is a poetry collection that captures a kaleidoscope of emotions, landscapes, and experiences. Rooted in themes of love, loss, and the passage of time, the book is an introspective journey through personal and universal moments. The collection showcases various poetic styles and influences inspired by personal experiences and literary traditions. Ağel weaves together imagery from places as diverse as London, Istanbul, and the River Orwell, imbuing each locale with introspection.

The collection includes a mix of poetry styles. Many poems draw heavily on natural imagery, using landscapes, weather, and seasons. “Harmony” offers a serene depiction of a summer walk along a trail. “A White Dandelion Dances with the Wind” is a whimsical portrayal of nature’s movement, and “Sun Has Beamed All Day Long” reflects the beauty of Ireland’s landscapes. Some poems incorporate historical or mythological references, such as “The Colosseum” and “Dulce Bellum Inexpertise.” Enise Ağel includes emotional, reflective, place-based, and philosophical poetry. The narrator explores abstract themes like time, eternity, and the human condition, making this a well-rounded poetic collection that balances melancholic and uplifting. Ağel embraces moments of loss and solitude but often tempers them with hope, beauty, or a sense of wonder, making the work reflective without being despairing. Readers who appreciate poetry that combines emotional resonance with rich descriptions and universal themes will likely find Have You Seen the Ocean in Your Eyes? an excellent read. It offers a quiet, thoughtful space for reflection while remaining vivid and engaging.