Chase Gagnon has a voice like no other. His urban haiga are entirely authentic, seamlessly blending the two distinctly different voices of Detroit's beauty and haiku. Gagnon's liaison with photography is evident in this collection as he effortlessly presents us with visual poetry accompanied by original urban haiku that truly honor human nature. This young poet has clearly led a rough journey, but thrives in the beauty he finds in the darkest crevices of life. In Empty Pockets, not only do you see the blight and renewal of the city, but also of the poet himself. There's a little something that everyone can relate to from battling mental illness to seeing the mundane in a new light. Gagnon has had much success in his short twenty-three years and this brilliant collection of haiga confirms just that. I have seen Detroit many times, but after reading Empty Pockets, I too can feel the alluring transformation the city brings. This book is a tangible exhibition of fine art and I guarantee you won't be disappointed! - Lori A Minor, co-editor of Scryptic Magazine In his latest collection of haiga, Gagnon has held nothing back. Empty Pockets is a haunting world full of hopeful brokenness in which he grapples with himself through the lens of his beloved Detroit, and explores the heart of a forsaken city. With stunning photography and thought-provoking haiku, Chase's skill in the form is on clear display. This is a work that doesn't play it safe and confronts the audience to participate in a profound journey through the shadows in our own night. I for one will be returning to this collection time and time again. -Tia Haynes