RETURNING YOUR CALL: Poems

In his sixth book the ""middle-aged poet"" finds it's ""harder now to be someone else"" and eases into everyday language to continue his deflationary forays against bubbles labeled beauty, love, democracy and the dignity of suffering. When Nathan tilts at racism in a series of ""minority reports,"" his irony can be awfully facile. Closer to home his balance is better, the surprises more fun; in a series of ""Breathing Exercises"" he exhales ""Wonderful. Inside Leonard/ Nathan is a little spirit."" A bit over-accommodating. . . but level-headed craftsmanship and a civilized sense of humor make this a pleasure.