Transitions and Translations, Linda Saccoccio’s inaugural book contains twelve of her original oil paintings and the twelve poems they spawned. The poetry that arose from contemplating her paintings is layered in time, triggered by the sensuality and curiosity of youth growing up in a lively Italian / American family. There are innocent meanderings and metaphysical wanderings. A host of visions, scents and tensions reach and twist like the vines of her grandfather’s arbor, with a distillation of inner and outer experience akin to the wine pressed from those dark grapes. The spirit of this new collection intoxicates while sobering. Yes, there is tension and yes there is humor, not unlike a Sunday family dinner.