We Were Human Once by Benjamin Arthur Robinson
Score: 9/10
“We Were Human Once” is a stirring, morally charged collection that carries Robinson’s unmistakable balance of compassion and candour. Across its breadth of poems, Robinson explores the fragility and endurance of humanity — from the quiet anguish of the individual to the vast moral concerns of the collective world. His voice, once again, is both poetic and prophetic.
The title poem is an anthem for empathy — a reflection on what we have lost and what we might regain if only we remember our shared humanity. It stands as a reminder that poetry can both mourn and mobilise. Each verse feels carved from conscience, every line trembling with moral purpose.
Throughout, Robinson’s range is exceptional: from the elegiac tenderness of “Picture” and “On the Beach” to the sharp political undertones of “Humans Shoot Bullets” and “Broken Society.” His tone never wavers between lamentation and resolve. Like “Alas the Day,” this book reads as a call for moral reawakening, a chronicle of compassion in a time of despair.
His ability to merge lyric beauty with philosophical weight remains singular. The emotional intelligence, the rhythm, and the reflective meditations on life’s moral imperatives ensure Robinson’s voice continues to stand apart — courageous, sincere, and necessary.
Verdict
“We Were Human Once” confirms Robinson’s status as a poet of conscience — empathetic, eloquent, and utterly unafraid to confront the darkness with light. A work of grace, humanity, and enduring resonance.
Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ (9/10)
A vital, compassionate reflection on what it means to be human in fractured times.