Kurt Van Wilt explores comparative mysticism in his new work, Innocence and Awakening, a two-part work of memoire poems. The first part, Dante and His Beatrice, presents a rousing contemporary re-exploration of the relationship between Dante and Beatrice. The second part, Sonnet, s is an artful exploration of the poet's own journey. A compelling, ambitious collection, it recalls the lyrical work of Rilke and Blake. Innocence and Awakening is both an enjoyable read and a masterpiece of language and form.