Aaron Poochigian’s “Four Walks in Central Park: A Poetic Guide to the Park” reads like a conversation between old friends—one of them being the city itself. Poochigian uses the park as both setting and subject, threading his way through its well-worn trails, monuments, and hidden corners with the kind of curiosity that never feels forced.
The poems are inviting, grounded in observation and local color. You get the sense that Poochigian has spent serious time just looking, listening, and letting the city seep in. He’s attentive to the rhythms of the park: runners dodging tourists, the sudden hush near the Ramble, the way sunlight falls on the reservoir. These details anchor the work, making even the most lyrical passages feel rooted in real experience.
What’s surprising is how accessible the book feels. There’s classical influence here, sure—Poochigian can’t help but slip in a myth or two—but it never gets in the way of the walk. Instead, the references feel like companions along the route, offering a little perspective but never taking over the narrative. The poems flow easily, and the language is clear and honest, even when it’s playful.
If you know Central Park, you’ll recognize the places and moods Poochigian describes. If you don’t, the book stands on its own as a series of thoughtful meditations on space, memory, and belonging. In the end, “Four Walks in Central Park” isn’t just a guide—it’s an invitation to slow down, notice, and maybe see something familiar in a new light.
Claire Uebelacker