Nirvana Days

"Nirvana Days" by Cale Young Rice is a collection of poems that looks at big ideas using strong, descriptive language. The poems explore thoughts about being spiritual, the beauty of the natural world, and the short-lived nature of life, along with the wide range of human feelings. Rice’s poetry thinks about what 'Nirvana' means and the journey to find peace when life is hard. For example, the poem "Nirvana Days" creates a picture of Japan as the speaker thinks deeply about being enlightened and waking up spiritually. Other poems talk about the differences between loving and losing, how quickly time passes, and the hard times that come with being human. Rice makes the feelings seem real, helping readers connect to the happiness and sadness that life brings, and hints that everything is connected, pointing to something bigger than everyday life.