Lovers' Progress in Bloomington, MN

Lovers' Progress consists of ninety poems written over a span of seventeen years—from 2004 to 2021—from the inception of the relationship to COVID-19 times. Not only does it explore the development of the romantic relationship as the partners move from dating, to living together, to marrying, but it documents the development of the poet's work over this time as lines become longer, poems divide into regular stanzas, and feelings/perspectives expressed become broader, less obvious, and more philosophical. So, this collection progresses from a literal walk in a park on the first date in "Sol" to "Home Remedy," when, due to the pandemic, husband and wife spend most of their time with each other—and with no one else. Thus, the poems in this collection range from expressing the initial romantic/sexual spark to considering the enduring elements of a loving relationship.