Peering Into Infinity: Mirrors of Love & Grief by Steven Lewis is a beautiful collection of poetry that explores the various stages of grief and acceptance.
Table of Contents
Review
Peering Into Infinity: Mirrors of Love & Grief by Steven Lewis is a poignant collection of poems that touches the soul. Lewis masterfully encapsulates his love for his grandson, Roy, and the grief at losing him in his poems.
The book consists of twenty-four poems. Each and every poem is unique and has a flow of its own. We get to see snippets of Lewis’ life and catch glimpses of his psyche through his vivid use of imagery. His raw writing style perfectly captures his emotions which makes his poem deeply resonate with us.
The first poem Introduction/My Own Private Sea Wall first takes us to Lewis’ early days when he lost his father. He did not cry then. Instead, he remained strong for his mom. Lewis tells us that every time he watched a sad movie or lost a pet, he cried. However, life did not stop there. He had to move on from his loss. He always held his emotions in check for his family and returned to normal life after tearfully bidding his pets goodbye. The only times he wept were tears of joy on happy occasions. Lewis maintained his composure. However, when he lost his beloved Roy, he lost his calm. In Becoming Fearless, Lewis relays how he always worried for his children and grandchildren and prayed for their well-being. Then, death came like a train. No prayers, rosary, or amulets could save his beloved grandson. Just like Rory dived into the surf, Lewis had to dive into the sea of grieving souls. Daily Dispatches from Across the Border starts off with a quote from T.S. Eliot’s East Coker. This poem is written in Eliot’s style. I really appreciate this. Divided into three parts, the poem beautifully captures the feeling of homesickness. Two Words begins with Leonard Cohen’s anthem. In this poem, he bares his unbearable grief at losing his grandson. Inked and Linked is one of my favorites in this book. In this poem, Lewis reminisces about the happy time he and Rory went to get a tattoo. In Plaza De Santa Ana, Madrid, Lewis captures the beauty of Spain, blending memories of wandering Barcelona with the lived immediacy of a quiet moment in Madrid. Grenada Remastered: And that she nurs’d him in a Cave takes us back to Lewis’ childhood home, carved in the mountain. It gives us a glimpse into his childhood. A Remastered Ride On Patti Smith’s M Train made me reflect. Here, Lewis addresses his readers in the second person and takes them on a journey through Costa Rica, with a copy of Patti Smith’s M Train. We read about the Wegener’s Theory and see a different side of Shakespeare, Mother Teresa, and other eminent personalities. Eight years later, we find ourselves in a Brooklyn Station. Our train leads us to the ocean, where we become children again and play with the waves. This poem is profound. In just a few lines, it makes you experience the circular nature of life.
Adrift is a perfect reflection of the poet’s questioning mind who is unable to grasp the grief of losing his grandson. I found the questions raised about the clergy to be absolutely valid. Leaving My Copy of the Coney Island of the Mind at a Bus Stop highlights the poet’s hopelessness. He no longer believes in happy endings or a world without wars to be possible. He has lost faith in humanity. He now believes in living each day as if it were the only day that there is. A Passing Lightness of Being brings a ray of hope. Lewis dreams of Rory making bread of the dough of his sorrow which is then partaken by his beloved lost loved ones. This finally wanes the pall of grief looming over him. In Meadow Song, Lewis talks about his daughter. When she was a baby, he comforted her. Now, years later, she becomes his crutch and leads him out of grief in the wake of Rory’s death. Lobe Sailboat Under Cumulus Clouds is a metaphorical poem that shows how Lewis came out of the shadows. Putting Up A Fence (An American Tanka) brings attention to the circle of life allegorically.
Ashes to Ocean brought tears to my eyes. Lewis beautifully teleports us to the day when Rory’s ashes were released to the ocean. A Bench at Spring Farm shows how grief still lingers even after a year of a loved one’s passing. The love and sorrow remain in our hearts. American Beati-Haikus, 2025, Getting Back to the Wetlands, Sermon in the Cypress Wetlands, and Leaning In are thought-provoking pieces that leave a lasting impact on the reader. Twenty-One Seconds actually made me feel Rory’s presence even though I never knew him. Punctuation Rule #1: Uneven Sidewalks in Wilmington, NC is one of my favorite pieces of poetry. I love how the poet shows us that there is no period in grief to mark its end through the rules of grammar. I appreciate the Afterword. It is beautifully penned in poetry format. Lewis relays to us that there is nothing more to say, even though his grief lingers. The memories hound him and propel him to pick up his pen. In Coda, Lewis shares with us the Chinese fortune found in Rory’s pocket. Its foreshadowing nature made me stop and take a breath.
Steven Lewis’ Peering Into Infinity: Mirrors of Love & Grief is a beautiful poetry collection. It explores grief, nostalgia, and reminisces expertly. The illustrations and the designs in this book are aesthetically pleasing. I especially like how Rory’s photograph is on the book cover. It made the book all the more personal to me. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has lost someone. Fans of poetry will love this book.
About the Author
Steven Lewis is a former mentor at SUNY Empire State College and the Writing Institute at Sarah Lawrence College. He works as a freelance writer and editor and serves as Senior Editor at WritersRead.org. His publications include major newspapers, literary journals, and parenting outlets. He has seven children and seventeen grandchildren.
Book Details
- Title: Peering Into Infinity: Mirrors of Love & Grief
- Author: Steven Lewis
- Genre: Poetry
- Theme: Grief, Loss, Love
- Publication Date:
- ISBN or ASIN: 978-1-949933-33-8
- Number of Pages: 63
- Minimum Audience Age: 10
Book Themes
(Note: 0=none, 1=a few, 2=considerable, 3=pronounced, 4=excessive)
- Sexual themes: 0
- Religious themes: 2
- Violence, self-harm, etc.: 0
- Crude language, expletives, swearing, etc.: 0
- Other adult themes: 0
Rating
- Content: 5 stars
- Writing Style: 5 stars
- Appeal to Target Audience: 5 stars
- Uniqueness: 5 stars
- Editing: 5 stars
- Other factors: 5 stars
- Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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That sounds deeply moving. A poetry collection that explores grief and acceptance can be incredibly powerful, especially when it captures love and loss with honesty and grace. Peering Into Infinity feels like the kind of work that meets readers where they are and gently guides them through healing.
A powerful exploration of love and grief through words that linger ✨📖
Thoughtful, moving, and deeply reflective.
I think that exploring poetry about love and grief is a thoughtful way to find emotional peace.
This sounds like a deeply resonant collection—poetry that doesn’t shy away from grief, but slowly guides the reader toward understanding and acceptance. Exploring love and loss through reflection is what makes a book like Peering Into Infinity feel both intimate and healing.
Nice review!
Sounds deeply moving. Poetry that honestly captures grief and acceptance always leaves a lasting impact.
Sounds deeply moving. Poetry that honestly captures grief and acceptance always leaves a lasting impact.
A masterclass in transforming the ‘unendurable’ into language. Steven Lewis reminds us that grief is a testament to the depth of our love. 🕊️📖 #TheChrysalisBREWproject
A haunting, heartfelt exploration of love, loss, and the infinite reflections they leave behind.
😍😍😍
Steven Lewis captures grief and love in his poetry that truly resonates.
Peering into infinity by Steven Lewis is a deeply moving collection of poetry that explores love, loss, and memory. Through vivid imagery and raw emotion, lewis shares his grief for his grandson and reflects on the moments that shaped his life. The poems feel personal yet universal, leaving a lasting impression long after reading.
Exploring love and grief through poetry is always powerful—interesting review.
This is a heartfelt and deeply moving review that beautifully captures the emotional depth and literary skill of Steven Lewis’ Peering Into Infinity: Mirrors of Love & Grief. Your summary highlights how the collection navigates grief, love, and remembrance, while providing readers with vivid glimpses into Lewis’ life and emotions. I especially appreciate how you detail specific poems and their impact, making the review both personal and insightful. It’s a thoughtful appreciation that would inspire others to explore this poignant work.