In Dot-to-Dot, Oregon, Sid Miller writes about his journey along seven routes through different areas of Oregon. This book of poems encompasses a poem for each small town or urban city that the author visits. From expectations and atmosphere to personal experiences and his love for his wife, Miller’s book is a refreshing collection that varies from page to page.

Miller has been an Oregon resident for the last seven years and is the founder and current editor of the Burnside Review, a literary journal here in Portland. He attended Portland State from 2000 to 2002, and majored in English. He's had three poem collections published, and has submitted work to other predominate publications.

In the forward of the book, Miller explains his thinking process, and how he made the revelation to write a book of poems like this one. After living in Oregon for nearly seven years, he felt he really hadn't experienced many places and monuments in the state he now called home.

So he sets out on his journey, with a limited budget, and limited time, mapping out seven different routes as far West as Seaside to as far East as Nyssa, on the Oregon-Idaho border.

Miller uses first, second and third person in the poems, so that each one is different. He uses “you” in the two-page Portland poem, making the reader trace his steps. He takes you on a walk over the bridges in Portland.
While reading Dot-to-Dot, you feel as if you're rediscovering what Oregon has to offer. Miller gives you a glimpse into his mind as he travels to the places you've most likely been before. For instance, one route from Albany to Corvallis, another from Philomath to Veneta, and another from Eugene back to Portland may seem familiar.

The book is a truly unconventional way to write about places. Since poems are personal by nature, reading every poem is like seeing the place like Miller sees it. And when you read them, you may find yourself searching for references or something that you agree with, in a place that's familiar to you. If you're originally from Oregon, it's the most fun to read a poem about your hometown.

In some of the poems, Miller's life seems to be at the forefront, telling his stories of his wife, his dog and his literal experiences in the town. In others, the personal aspects are completely set aside to give imagery and context to the location.

After reading his poems, you may never think of Oregon the same. Instead of dreaming of traveling to distant lands, maybe you'll decide to revisit a small town on the coast, or go to one of those eastern towns that you've only thought about seeing.

Maybe you'll even bring your pen and pad.