East of Anywhere: Six Unlikely Poets on a Journey to Heal

Book excerpt: Therapist George Samuel creates an experimental form of group therapy for men dealing with grief. The men: a non-stereotypical bouncer, an ex-cop turned farmer, a quirky programmer, a clever history teacher, a carefree college kid, and an antagonistic redneck, are asked to write poems and take pictures on a given topic weekly. Right before the sessions are about to begin, Dr. Samuel dies. After some persuading, his son, George Jr., takes over. George Jr. is not a therapist but an elementary teacher. The poems and dialogue are revealing, interesting, and more often than not comical. The grief the men are experiencing is not revealed to the last chapter, and even then, there is humor. East of Anywhere is optimistic, entertaining and a reminder of the healing power of art, honesty, and friendship.