Frank Kooistra

Assisted Living Frank Kooistra

Frank Kooistra's "Assisted Living: Poems" is a collection of gentle, realistic, loving portraits of lives in assisted living. Each poem, written in plain language and sensitive detail, provides a portal into the daily life and experience of the residents. Kooistra sees them all with grace, empathy, and tenderness, for he is one of them, and uniquely able to bring his skill as a poet to this chapter of life. The 77 poems unfold naturally, as if in quiet conversation, but together they form a single, organic, living picture--not just of the elderly but of all human life. Food, shelter, sleep, love, time, conversation--as readers, we begin to understand more of our own lives--where we are going and where we have been. These touching, intimate poems are both inspiring and humbling. Readers of any age will find enrichment here.