Reviewed by Maria Victoria Beltran for Readers' Favorite

I Am Here, Let’s Go Home: Poems of San Francisco, of Earlier Times and Places by Wayne Luthi is a collection of poems in two parts. Both sections of the book encapsulate the exciting and the mundane, the quiet alleys and the busy streets, the smell of tropical air from Vietnam to the colder climate of London. The language of poetry roams freely as you are immersed in the reflective side of life. Bask in the smells of roses, trees, coffee, and various delicacies. Feel the wind of King’s Mountain or be amazed by the historical control towers of Thailand. Whichever way you read, you will surely be transported to a different reality. To borrow a line from Luthi's poem, “you come here to find complete absorption.” And as you, the reader, begin your journey into his world, may you find some truth in the words written and open your mind to the endless possibilities of poetry.

Wayne Luthi’s I Am Here, Let’s Go Home is a very inspiring collection of poetry. Luthi touches on various subjects, disregarding form in favor of clarity and emotions. His poems are meant to be read in whatever way the reader sees fit. One can read a line or two, or jump back and forth between pages. This method of reading brings a sense of spontaneity and freedom that no other form of literature can provide. Reading this book has given me a renewed perspective on life. To quote one of his poems, “The poet / takes seed / from the womb / of life’s depressions / and turns this grain / to the viscous thick / of gold honey / by surrendering / to the sting.” Through the creative use of his expansive vocabulary, Luthi takes us into a realm of wonder filled with vivid imagery and memories that we can easily relate to, allowing us to feel different emotions from anger, sadness, kindness, happiness, and so much more. This collection is a glimpse into the mind of a poet, a person who can see life differently and show us a different world.