Please Do Not Feed the Ghost

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These poems by Peter Ramos explore moments of suspended breath within various settings, such as a mid-century interior, a cocktail party, a clinic, and an airport, all illuminated by the glow of television. They reflect the complex divide between labor and leisure, capturing the nuances of time and space. The narratives oscillate between a political present and the solitary mission of an astronaut, revealing global disparities from a jungle village to the failures of development. Echoes of the past haunt the present, as voices from family and nation intertwine, creating a community where heartbreak and gratitude coexist. The poems blend elements of Plath's dark humor, Stevens's clarity, and Hugo's subtlety, offering profound reflections on family, country, friendship, and language, alongside the inevitable loves and losses they entail. Ramos skillfully acknowledges both personal and historical legacies, illustrating how they can threaten contemporary existence. The rich tapestry of American experience informs these works, drawing strength from mythic parental figures, which Ramos approaches with a precise and spare language, encapsulating their enduring influence within the framework of poetry.