Description

“In such a small space on the page, his poetry addresses some of the largest questions about humanity’s positioning within a complicated universe.”

—Conor Cross, teacher of English literature, United States Naval Academy

Why Do We Look Up?

by Kazimieras Campe

In Why Do We Look Up?  Kazimieras Campe explores the multiple views of the relationship between humanity and the universe. By universe, he takes a liberal stance, conjoining the micro and macro features of what surrounds us. The poems tend to be short, posing the challenge of capturing the vast expanse of time, space, and life as we know it. His musings range widely, from elusive sub-atomic particles to the seemingly endless cosmos. His intent is not to provide answers to questions raised in the poems. Rather, it is his hope that we may stop and think, especially whenever we look up.

 

Early Praise for Why Do We Look UP?

Kazimieras Campe’s poems let us smile with delight as we travel through the universe. We go from  the Big Bang, to black holes, that are to be forgiven for they know not what they do. Then, just when you think you know where you are, you’re at Olduvai Gorge where we ventured to walk, and, sometimes, to think. These poems proudly claim an enjoyable dry wit.

—Mary Sesso, author of The Open Window

With the publication of Why Do We Look Up? we welcome Kaz Campe into the guild of cosmic poets. He juxtaposes cosmic perspectives with everyday takes, using playful turns of phrases, especially when capping an observation. This can make for a refreshing presentation, like the fresh coffee postdating the Big Bang in the opening poem.

—Q.R. Quasar, author of Watching the Universe Die,
The Universe in Bloom, and I, Universe

Kaz Campe’s Why Do We Look Up? is a cosmic tour-de-force poetry collection. His bite-sized poems carry galaxies of insight in exploring the endless space beyond our tiny world’s borders. So many of his poems, the title piece included, pose and ponder questions that are, more often than not, unanswerable but critical to examine. Although the poet may be challenged by pervasive uncertainty about the universe, where it’s headed, and his role in it, his celestial wanderings are accompanied by a comfort of their own. Campe’s intellect, emotional security, and wit, come through loud and clear in these sparkling starlike gems.

—Philip Wexler, author of I Would be the Purple

Kaz Campe whittles his poems with skillful precision. In such a small space on the page, his poetry addresses some of the largest questions about humanity’s positioning within a complicated universe. The language is beautiful in its direct essentiality. This collection fills us with wonder and allows us access to a way of thinking about our origins, our present, and our future. It shows us how our instinctive curiosity can lead not only to scientific knowledge, but to an appreciation for that which we do not fully understand.

—Conor Cross, teacher of English literature, United States Naval Academy

About the Author:

Kazimieras Campe is a retired nuclear engineer who has been writing poetry for over 60 years. In Why Do We Look Up? he explores the multiple views of the relationship between humanity and the Universe. His poetry has been published in Visions International, Potomac Review, The Hot Calaloo, The University of Connecticut Fine Arts Magazine, The Metropolitan, Innisfree Magazine, and the Dan River Anthology. Thematically, his poems explore a wide range of topics. He is currently working on a chapbook with a present-day perspective on Adam and Eve, titled Fig Leaf Is So Yesterday. His other long-time passion is competitive fencing. He and his wife reside in Edgewater, Maryland.