Reviewed by Richard Prause for Readers' Favorite

Two Spirits Here by Louise DeVito is a poetry collection that helps you face your tender spots when life is burdened by grief and personal struggles. Louise teaches us to process the significant or painful milestones in our lives by looking closely at the world around us, like watching two silhouettes merge against a barn wall as light fades into absolute darkness. The collection features beautiful poems like "Like Us From The Earth", which focuses on our own mortality, and "Job’s Trees", which shows how to survive the coldest winter seasons of life with patience. DeVito’s equine lesson is such an eye-opening idea, too, showing that mentally fleeing from old, painful thoughts is a healthy way to protect your peace. She also includes comforting pieces written for a lost companion, tracking how someone you love stays with you in the morning fog or a sudden downpour. It’s a fantastic book for anyone who needs a little extra comfort and support to get through loss or hardship.

Louise DeVito’s Two Spirits Here is a beautiful collection that feels like a sanctuary from the noise of everyday life. Her perspective on creativity is refreshing because she treats writing like a real workout, where you have to cut away the extra clutter to find the simple truth. Reading these poems helps you protect your peace when your day is stressful, permitting you to step outside, notice a weathered tree, and listen to the stories happening right around you. Her willingness to share her own struggles and promote self-reflection is a comfort for readers who feel overwhelmed by severed connections. DeVito’s book is just as comforting as it is practical, showing you how to notice small everyday joys, like the playful flute metaphors she uses to describe rainstorms. Through simple verses and a gentle voice, she gives you a lovely roadmap to replace mental fatigue with a much more hopeful way of living.