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John Casey is a Pushcart Prize-nominated poet and novelist from New Hampshire. His first book, Raw Thoughts: A Mindful Fusion of Poetic and Photographic Art, was published in 2019 and garnered nominations for the Griffin Poetry Prize and National Book Award. PHiR Publishing released its sequel, Meridian: A Raw Thoughts Book, in 2021. He is the author of Devolution, Evolution, and Revelation (The Devolution Trilogy), a psychological spy thriller series. Casey’s latest title is a philosophical poetry book titled Things of Little Consequence. He is a co-author of The Barn: A Mystery Novella as well. Casey's poetry has appeared internationally in numerous literary journals and magazines. A Veteran combat and test pilot with a Master of Arts from Florida State University, Casey also served as a diplomat and international affairs strategist at U.S. embassies in Europe and Africa, at the Pentagon, and elsewhere. He is passionate about fitness, nature, and travel and inspired by the incredible spectrum of people, places and cultures he has experienced in life.
Reviewed by Constance Stadler for Readers' Favorite
The Dr. Seuss quote at the beginning of Things of Little Consequence introduces aspects of the book’s theme. John Casey contends that complex questions—often with questionable motives—should be answered with direct, honest simplicity. Little consequence refers to common perceptions deemed to be culturally insignificant that are, in fact, most needed. In four sections, the book seeks to expose the chronic diminution of others and pose ways to live authentically. Embedded modes of measuring success through conquering, regardless of casualties, are depicted as toxic. The pathos of demeaning those with much to offer who, because of outward appearance, are professionally disregarded is challenged. At the same time, appreciating all the riches in your life is celebrated. Looking inward, ‘prayer is a rehearsal of truth’ is as revealing a phrase as it is memorable.
One of the many strengths of the book is the absence of dogma. Alternative thinking invites reconsideration of selfhood. Life changes when we understand the importance of the present moment and connect to others with openness in a way that rejects bias, labeling, or arbitrary dismissal. There is a warning to avoid yielding to facile assumptions and affirmations that real love is a means of validation. By affirming the ongoing need for personal development, John Casey has written poetry of worth beyond its appeal to poetry lovers or those with a like-minded mindset. It potentially offers a different way of living for those forming life patterns. In reflectively probing what it means to be human, Things of Little Consequence both realizes and transcends a work of exceptional art.
