Window and Mirror

by Ted Virts

The introduction of Window and Mirror begins with a What are we doing here? The emphasis is on both the doing and the place. Ted Virts' poetry collection meanders through life experiences with story, blessing, myth, and the day-to-day realities of pain, delight, humor, and wonder.

Virts explores life with an undercurrent of curiosity, faith, emotion, loss, hope, acceptance, and presence. His poems link tragedy at the southern U.S. border, the death of his father, the constant plea for political donations, the nightly news, and a description of Christmas as an artichoke. The link? The sacredness of everyday life.

"So many poignant poems here stop me in my tracks, inviting me to be deeply present with what is offered, and to carry that invitation to situations I contend with beyond the author’s reach." --Carol Barrett, Ph.D., author of Reading Wind and Pansies

58 pages, Hardcover

Published April 8, 2025

Reviews

[Ayxan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great collection of poems
that remind us
poetry doesn’t have to be rhyming,
one only needs to know
the art of language,
and how to weave the words
in a way
that touches the reader’s soul.

And it’s clear,
that Ted Virts indeed
mastered that art,
as it touched
my soul
at least.

Particularly
the “write an ‘I am’ poem”
poem
was really good.
Made me think
and wonder
and let my thoughts
wander
—I think.

Quite inspiring.
Indeed so much,
it might be how I choose to express
my inner world
the next few days.

~

Thank you to Atmosphere Press on Netgalley for a digital review copy. The book was released on April 8, 2025.

-Ayxan Solongo, 03.05.25

My main platforms: StoryGraph | Pending Plays | Instagram | YouTube

[Anwen Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Window and Mirror felt less like consuming a book and more like entering a sustained interior conversation. What impressed me most was how the writing never tries to dominate the reader. There’s no sense of being led by the hand or told what conclusions to draw. Instead, the book creates a quiet architecture where your own thoughts begin to echo back at you. I often found myself stopping mid-page, not because the language was dense, but because it had stirred something unresolved. The themes unfold gradually, with patience and emotional intelligence, allowing the reader to meet them at their own pace. By the end, I didn’t feel “finished” with the book—I felt altered in small, meaningful ways. This is a book that doesn’t demand attention; it earns it.

[Icarus Bastien · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took me by surprise in the best possible way. I expected a thoughtful story, but I didn’t expect to feel so emotionally connected to it. Window and Mirror unfolds slowly, allowing the reader to truly sit with the characters and their inner lives. The author has a strong grasp of emotional realism, and nothing here feels exaggerated or artificial. The reflections on memory and identity felt especially honest, as if drawn from lived experience. I appreciated how the story doesn’t rush toward resolution but instead allows emotions to evolve naturally. By the time I reached the end, I felt reflective and calm rather than emotionally exhausted. This is the kind of book that stays with you quietly, resurfacing in moments long after you’ve finished reading.

[Bartira Rugai · Rating 5 out of 5]

The language in Window and Mirror is careful, measured, and quietly beautiful. It never feels ornamental for its own sake. Every sentence seems placed with intention, yet the overall effect is effortless. What stayed with me was the mood the book sustains, a kind of calm attentiveness that’s hard to describe but easy to feel. It’s not melancholic, not overly hopeful, but honest in a way that feels grounding. This is the kind of book that changes the temperature of your thoughts while you’re reading it. I found myself reading more slowly, more attentively, almost as if the book was teaching me how it wanted to be read.

[Isabella Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a novel that values thoughtfulness over spectacle, and I appreciated that from the very beginning. The emotional tone is steady and grounded, creating a sense of trust between the author and the reader. The themes of self-reflection and emotional inheritance are explored with great care, never feeling heavy-handed or forced. I found myself relating to the characters in unexpected ways, especially in their quieter moments of doubt and introspection. The writing is clear, precise, and emotionally resonant without being overly poetic. By the end, I felt as though I had experienced something genuine rather than simply read a story. This is mature, confident storytelling.

[Lucilia Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first chapter, it was clear that this book would require patience, and it rewards that patience generously. Window and Mirror is a reflective novel that trusts the reader to engage deeply with its themes. The emotional journey unfolds gradually, without shortcuts or exaggeration. I admired how the author allows characters to exist in emotional gray areas rather than forcing clear resolutions. The writing feels thoughtful and deliberate, with a strong sense of emotional continuity. This is not a book you rush through; it’s one you absorb slowly. The experience felt genuine and quietly powerful.

[Colin Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first positive point Virts’ short collection of poetry scores is that it is accessible in its approach and theming-- the variety of topics and themes explored, centering around everyday life, make it an engaging read. More than anything, Window and Mirror is relatable and heartfelt, and while it may not be anything to write home about, it shows enough of a glimpse of a budding poet to merit following Virts and his future works.