No One: Poems 2009, by Dennis Cruz, demands the attention of any serious reader of contemporary literature. Few, if any, poets could deal with subject matter like Mr. Cruz does and come away with something so direct, so full of mercy, wit, and sorcery. What is the subject matter? The crux of the tragedy in the book is suicide and abuse and the residual effects of these tragedies, but to speak of this content in this way is to put it out of context. This book is healing, honest, strong, defiant, faltering, failing, transcendent, and ultimately (and inescapably) human. This poetry?s innards and essence are the day to day coping mechanisms, the reactions and observations that comprise the poet?s psyche, a psyche so profound and engaging that it cannot be put aside or forgotten. This is poetry with life, long life.