Within the Heart of Silence by James William Peercy and Jacqueline E Smith is a collection of deeply moving spiritual poems that are rich in symbolism. What immediately catches the reader’s attention is how the authors instill life into what appears to be commonplace — images like the receding footsteps on the beach, the splash of water likened to a warm embrace that “washes our woes.” Then it becomes deeper and talks about hearts that see within, “a place of comfort.” Then there is the bird and the idea of freedom.
From themes of nature, to the celebration of faith, to the essence of love, and to the sheer delight in the little joys that fill the human experience, these poems reminisce on the beauty in our humanity and our anchor in someone higher than us. Some lines are insightful, deep, and imbued with universal truths. Beautifully illustrated with images that capture the essence of the poems, Within the Heart of Silence is delightful and written with an effervescence of style that will please readers as much as the depth of its message. Each poem is short, crafted with an unusual economy of word and elegance, with familiar diction and occasional rhymes that soothe the mind. Not one of the poems is titled. In place of titles, the authors offer images that are inspiring and that offer their own interpretation of the poems. An emotion, an idle thought, a phenomenon — they are captured in short lines that will delight readers. James William Peercy and Jacqueline E Smith give words to some of the beautiful human experiences for which we find no language.