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Recommend this book:
No Unpaid Passengers
Pam R. Johnson Davis
2023 Finalist
90 Pages
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Poetry - Love/Romance
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
Award-winning author, poet, educator, and singer/songwriter Pam R. Johnson Davis delves into some heavy themes in this beautiful poetry collection, No Unpaid Passengers. Drawing inspiration from her own life, Pam touches upon issues that impacted her, beginning with her childhood, growing up in the belly of the beast that is southern racism, and Black Pentecostal politics. Her poems explore topics such as parental neglect, dysfunctional relationships, and love, as well as what it means to grow up as a young Black girl in America. Through her freestyle verses, she also sheds light on the institutional racism that the Black community in America has been subjected to through the centuries that is only now getting long overdue attention because of the rising influence of social media in the 21st century.
At the end of the day, you have to choose yourself while traversing the host of struggles and challenges of life. This is the primary message of No Unpaid Passengers. With her experimental structures combined with the personal touch of her verses, Pam R. Johnson Davis pens some mesmerizing poems that will pull at your heartstrings and leave you with a sense of emotional catharsis as only top-tier poetry can. No matter what background you come from, Pam's poems strike a chord because of the authenticity of her words that tell the truth in a way that everyone can connect with. I loved every single one of her poems but something about Hood Nationalism spoke to me. Highly recommended to all poetry lovers out there.
Award-winning author, poet, educator, and singer/songwriter Pam R. Johnson Davis delves into some heavy themes in this beautiful poetry collection, No Unpaid Passengers. Drawing inspiration from her own life, Pam touches upon issues that impacted her, beginning with her childhood, growing up in the belly of the beast that is southern racism, and Black Pentecostal politics. Her poems explore topics such as parental neglect, dysfunctional relationships, and love, as well as what it means to grow up as a young Black girl in America. Through her freestyle verses, she also sheds light on the institutional racism that the Black community in America has been subjected to through the centuries that is only now getting long overdue attention because of the rising influence of social media in the 21st century.
At the end of the day, you have to choose yourself while traversing the host of struggles and challenges of life. This is the primary message of No Unpaid Passengers. With her experimental structures combined with the personal touch of her verses, Pam R. Johnson Davis pens some mesmerizing poems that will pull at your heartstrings and leave you with a sense of emotional catharsis as only top-tier poetry can. No matter what background you come from, Pam's poems strike a chord because of the authenticity of her words that tell the truth in a way that everyone can connect with. I loved every single one of her poems but something about Hood Nationalism spoke to me. Highly recommended to all poetry lovers out there.
Recommend this book:
An Occasional Damage of Roses
James Victor Anderson
2023 Honorable Mention
146 Pages
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Poetry - Love/Romance
Reviewed by Luwi Nyakansaila for Readers' Favorite
An Occasional Damage of Roses is a collection of poems by James Victor Anderson. The work aims to help readers realize the reality that has always been in front of their eyes and break the binding walls formed by the thoughts and suggestions of other people; to be their authentic selves and find the inner child that was lost. The poems discuss precognition, consciousness, serenity, purpose, and many more topics. Some lyrics are written like stories of memories and trauma; others are in-depth thoughts and quotes about life. The poems cover life, death, growth, nature, seasons, witchcraft, and magic themes. Get a copy of this book to enjoy these moving words.
An Occasional Damage of Roses is a transforming poetic work that will make you reflect on things you perceive to be true. The poems will make you view life differently and realize that it is not always black or white. From family to our memories and the way we see nature, there is always another side to the story. Whether it was an old man remembering the war, two lovers running toward each other in an orchard, or friends talking about their fathers, the author perfectly captured their emotions. The poems convey healing, change, dreams, love, and self-awareness. The words can have different interpretations depending on your perspective, but they will make you feel. I enjoyed reading this collection because it has a consistent format and smooth flow. Poems are meant to speak to the soul, and James Victor Anderson's work did just that and made me relate to the subjects of his poems. Great work.
An Occasional Damage of Roses is a collection of poems by James Victor Anderson. The work aims to help readers realize the reality that has always been in front of their eyes and break the binding walls formed by the thoughts and suggestions of other people; to be their authentic selves and find the inner child that was lost. The poems discuss precognition, consciousness, serenity, purpose, and many more topics. Some lyrics are written like stories of memories and trauma; others are in-depth thoughts and quotes about life. The poems cover life, death, growth, nature, seasons, witchcraft, and magic themes. Get a copy of this book to enjoy these moving words.
An Occasional Damage of Roses is a transforming poetic work that will make you reflect on things you perceive to be true. The poems will make you view life differently and realize that it is not always black or white. From family to our memories and the way we see nature, there is always another side to the story. Whether it was an old man remembering the war, two lovers running toward each other in an orchard, or friends talking about their fathers, the author perfectly captured their emotions. The poems convey healing, change, dreams, love, and self-awareness. The words can have different interpretations depending on your perspective, but they will make you feel. I enjoyed reading this collection because it has a consistent format and smooth flow. Poems are meant to speak to the soul, and James Victor Anderson's work did just that and made me relate to the subjects of his poems. Great work.
Recommend this book:
Dismantling Cinderella
Tamsen Grace
2023 Bronze Medal
Kindle Edition
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Poetry - Love/Romance
Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite
Dismantling Cinderella by Tamsen Grace is a compilation of poetry that initially takes the traditional telling of the well known fairy tale and turns it on its head. “I think the fairy Godmother should have turned that Prince back into a frog, or his head into a pumpkin… for not seeing, that a girl with ashes on her face, is much better than a fantasy, that just disappears at midnight.” Following the titular poem, Tamsen Grace then continues with verses that highlight the strength, beauty, and intrinsic attributes of the female sex – both young and old – with powerful prose; prose which brings to the forefront all that embodies what it means to be a woman, by a woman.
Dismantling Cinderella was just added to the list of books I want my teen daughter to read. I want my husband to read it. I want everyone I know to read it. I've always held the opinion that women do not need to have men to be their saviors. What women need is to stop being reduced to positions by men that make the female sex appear to need saving. Tamsen Grace is a powerhouse in both her message and the way she delivers it, often lyrical and rhythmic but with a teasing of free form. My favorite poem in this book is Masquerade: “My mask has fused to my soul, I can't take it off. Love does have limits, but pain is limitless.” Every single one of Tamsen Grace's poems spoke to me in different ways, and I expect all who read Dismantling Cinderella will find themselves feeling the same.
Dismantling Cinderella by Tamsen Grace is a compilation of poetry that initially takes the traditional telling of the well known fairy tale and turns it on its head. “I think the fairy Godmother should have turned that Prince back into a frog, or his head into a pumpkin… for not seeing, that a girl with ashes on her face, is much better than a fantasy, that just disappears at midnight.” Following the titular poem, Tamsen Grace then continues with verses that highlight the strength, beauty, and intrinsic attributes of the female sex – both young and old – with powerful prose; prose which brings to the forefront all that embodies what it means to be a woman, by a woman.
Dismantling Cinderella was just added to the list of books I want my teen daughter to read. I want my husband to read it. I want everyone I know to read it. I've always held the opinion that women do not need to have men to be their saviors. What women need is to stop being reduced to positions by men that make the female sex appear to need saving. Tamsen Grace is a powerhouse in both her message and the way she delivers it, often lyrical and rhythmic but with a teasing of free form. My favorite poem in this book is Masquerade: “My mask has fused to my soul, I can't take it off. Love does have limits, but pain is limitless.” Every single one of Tamsen Grace's poems spoke to me in different ways, and I expect all who read Dismantling Cinderella will find themselves feeling the same.
Recommend this book:
Violet
Sabrina Simon
2023 Silver Medal
66 Pages
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Poetry - Love/Romance
Reviewed by Essien Asian for Readers' Favorite
There comes a time when your emotions overflow such that words cannot do the job of adequately expressing yourself. This is what happened to Sabrina Simon. Over seven years, she sat back and penned down her emotions on every topic imaginable. The result of that period of expressiveness is the fifty poems that make up her masterpiece, Violet. The fear of love not being reciprocated, the heartbreak that comes with the parting of ways with a loved one, and the appreciation of the little things that turn an ordinary day into a beautiful one are just a few of the motivations behind some of the poems in this intriguing collection. Read along with her and be enraptured by the beauty of the written word.
The major obstacle to enjoying poetry is the problem of the message getting lost in translation. With Violet that doesn't look like it will be an issue. Sabrina Simon's writing style is very direct and her sentences are simple, lacking the sometimes confusing nuances associated with poems. There is a certain degree of lullaby-like rhyming to her poems and her expressions make them vivid enough for me to paint an imaginative picture in my mind, describing minute details of the circumstances she is experiencing to a high degree. Quiet and Confusion is one particular poem that left me feeling incomplete, like there was more to the poem, but I couldn't put my finger on it. Violet is an intriguing collection of poems by a truly gifted poet. An interesting collection.
There comes a time when your emotions overflow such that words cannot do the job of adequately expressing yourself. This is what happened to Sabrina Simon. Over seven years, she sat back and penned down her emotions on every topic imaginable. The result of that period of expressiveness is the fifty poems that make up her masterpiece, Violet. The fear of love not being reciprocated, the heartbreak that comes with the parting of ways with a loved one, and the appreciation of the little things that turn an ordinary day into a beautiful one are just a few of the motivations behind some of the poems in this intriguing collection. Read along with her and be enraptured by the beauty of the written word.
The major obstacle to enjoying poetry is the problem of the message getting lost in translation. With Violet that doesn't look like it will be an issue. Sabrina Simon's writing style is very direct and her sentences are simple, lacking the sometimes confusing nuances associated with poems. There is a certain degree of lullaby-like rhyming to her poems and her expressions make them vivid enough for me to paint an imaginative picture in my mind, describing minute details of the circumstances she is experiencing to a high degree. Quiet and Confusion is one particular poem that left me feeling incomplete, like there was more to the poem, but I couldn't put my finger on it. Violet is an intriguing collection of poems by a truly gifted poet. An interesting collection.
Recommend this book:
Her Breath Built a World
Inspirational Poetry Celebrating the Creative Force of the Feminine Spirit
Ioanna Malandrenias
2023 Gold Medal
208 Pages
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Poetry - Love/Romance
Reviewed by Susan van der Walt for Readers' Favorite
Her Breath Built a World: Inspirational Poetry Celebrating the Creative Force of the Feminine Spirit is a collection of poems covering different stages of a woman's life, the effect of unhealthy relationships on them, finding their identity, and how they regain their inner strength through healing. Ioanna Malandrenias uses free-flowing poetry of varying lengths and definite rhythms to express the themes in her work. It is a collection you should read slowly - one poem at a time - and revisit often to comprehend the meaning. The simple titles shouldn't fool the reader because they often express complex ideas, while the context and meaning are often different from what would be expected when looking at the title.
As an introvert, I most associated with the poem Quiet Spaces. Ioanna Malandrenias succinctly expresses what all introverts know - that silence is not a lonely place but a life-giving sanctuary. Other poems that stood out were 40 Waves, Prayer, and Devotion. The poem Miracles highlights the wonder and beauty of womanhood and will help you realize that you are a miracle. I loved the simple cover and the way the poet used a decorative script to highlight core messages from the various items. This inspiring collection draws you in from the start, and every woman will find something that resonates with her. Her Breath Built a World will show women that they can take charge and build their own world. May this excellent compilation for women of all ages help you remember that you are beautiful and powerful.
Her Breath Built a World: Inspirational Poetry Celebrating the Creative Force of the Feminine Spirit is a collection of poems covering different stages of a woman's life, the effect of unhealthy relationships on them, finding their identity, and how they regain their inner strength through healing. Ioanna Malandrenias uses free-flowing poetry of varying lengths and definite rhythms to express the themes in her work. It is a collection you should read slowly - one poem at a time - and revisit often to comprehend the meaning. The simple titles shouldn't fool the reader because they often express complex ideas, while the context and meaning are often different from what would be expected when looking at the title.
As an introvert, I most associated with the poem Quiet Spaces. Ioanna Malandrenias succinctly expresses what all introverts know - that silence is not a lonely place but a life-giving sanctuary. Other poems that stood out were 40 Waves, Prayer, and Devotion. The poem Miracles highlights the wonder and beauty of womanhood and will help you realize that you are a miracle. I loved the simple cover and the way the poet used a decorative script to highlight core messages from the various items. This inspiring collection draws you in from the start, and every woman will find something that resonates with her. Her Breath Built a World will show women that they can take charge and build their own world. May this excellent compilation for women of all ages help you remember that you are beautiful and powerful.
Recommend this book:
When Daisies and Thunderstorms Collide
Isabel Scheck
2022 Finalist
78 Pages
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Poetry - Love/Romance
Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite
When Daisies and Thunderstorms Collide by Isabel Scheck is a book of poetic fiction that tells the story of a daisy being swept up into a thunderstorm. Told in a chronological compilation of free-form versed poetry, the plot offers an analogy of a fragile young woman who loves a man. The young woman is a fragile flower, a daisy, and the man is a ferocious thunderstorm. With emotion, perseverance, and the strength (and initially, the lack thereof) of both identities brought forward as focal points in the narrative, love takes center stage as the daisy is able to find herself while under the turbulent and often violent crush of the storm.
When Daisies and Thunderstorms Collide is a fresh approach to storytelling that Isabel Scheck has applied to a recurrent theme. I loved the verses that are presented on each page. While they are simple and straightforward, the power of her words resonates into the culmination of a beautifully told story. “Most beings avoid being the centre of chaos; But I’m drawn to your blizzards like the clouds that help you create turmoil. --STILL STUCK ON YOU.”
At the heart of the story is a frail flora speaking both to and about her love of the thunderstorm, in which the gentle raindrops and sleet that the storm unleashes can sometimes feel eerily codependent. It is when the daisy begins to shed her weakness and stand resolute in the storm that I saw her in full bloom, despite a series of crushing defeats. This book was shared with my 15-year-old daughter who disappeared into her room with it and has yet to return. It's brilliant.
When Daisies and Thunderstorms Collide by Isabel Scheck is a book of poetic fiction that tells the story of a daisy being swept up into a thunderstorm. Told in a chronological compilation of free-form versed poetry, the plot offers an analogy of a fragile young woman who loves a man. The young woman is a fragile flower, a daisy, and the man is a ferocious thunderstorm. With emotion, perseverance, and the strength (and initially, the lack thereof) of both identities brought forward as focal points in the narrative, love takes center stage as the daisy is able to find herself while under the turbulent and often violent crush of the storm.
When Daisies and Thunderstorms Collide is a fresh approach to storytelling that Isabel Scheck has applied to a recurrent theme. I loved the verses that are presented on each page. While they are simple and straightforward, the power of her words resonates into the culmination of a beautifully told story. “Most beings avoid being the centre of chaos; But I’m drawn to your blizzards like the clouds that help you create turmoil. --STILL STUCK ON YOU.”
At the heart of the story is a frail flora speaking both to and about her love of the thunderstorm, in which the gentle raindrops and sleet that the storm unleashes can sometimes feel eerily codependent. It is when the daisy begins to shed her weakness and stand resolute in the storm that I saw her in full bloom, despite a series of crushing defeats. This book was shared with my 15-year-old daughter who disappeared into her room with it and has yet to return. It's brilliant.
Recommend this book:
Sisterly
To My Best Friend
Eevi Jones
2022 Honorable Mention
39 Pages
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Poetry - Love/Romance
Reviewed by Amy Louise Hill for Readers' Favorite
Sisterly: To My Best Friend by Eevi Jones celebrates the bond between sisters. In this beautifully written book, Jones demonstrates just how strong the bond can be, and in doing this she has created the perfect keepsake. She shows that whether you are sisters by blood, by step, or by being life-long friends, it doesn't matter because the connection is still the same. If you are looking for the perfect gift to show your sister or friend how much she means to you, or want to strengthen your bond even more, then this is the book for you.
Sisterly brought tears to my eyes, which isn't surprising when it comes to Eevi Jones's books as she has a talent for capturing the reader's heart with her impeccable writing skills. Eevi never fails to impress me with her creations and this book was no exception. She truly tugged on my heartstrings and I have read it multiple times. I loved every word and, as always, I adored the illustrations by Edwin Daboin. The two of them work exceptionally well together and should continue to do so moving forward. I can't recommend this book enough and I urge anyone with a sister to purchase a copy because you won't be disappointed! Congrats on another successful book, Eevi, and I hope to read more from you in the future!
Sisterly: To My Best Friend by Eevi Jones celebrates the bond between sisters. In this beautifully written book, Jones demonstrates just how strong the bond can be, and in doing this she has created the perfect keepsake. She shows that whether you are sisters by blood, by step, or by being life-long friends, it doesn't matter because the connection is still the same. If you are looking for the perfect gift to show your sister or friend how much she means to you, or want to strengthen your bond even more, then this is the book for you.
Sisterly brought tears to my eyes, which isn't surprising when it comes to Eevi Jones's books as she has a talent for capturing the reader's heart with her impeccable writing skills. Eevi never fails to impress me with her creations and this book was no exception. She truly tugged on my heartstrings and I have read it multiple times. I loved every word and, as always, I adored the illustrations by Edwin Daboin. The two of them work exceptionally well together and should continue to do so moving forward. I can't recommend this book enough and I urge anyone with a sister to purchase a copy because you won't be disappointed! Congrats on another successful book, Eevi, and I hope to read more from you in the future!
Recommend this book:
The Soprano, the Monster, and the Dragonslayer
Vashti Stopher Klein
2022 Bronze Medal
104 Pages
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Poetry - Love/Romance
Reviewed by Astrid Iustulin for Readers' Favorite
If you think poetry collections are all the same and that it is difficult, perhaps impossible, to find an innovative one, you will have to reconsider your opinion. I had one of the most pleasant surprises myself when I found Vashti Stopher Klein's The Soprano, the Monster, and the Dragonslayer. The book begins with an allegory. An ill Soprano dreams about an evil monster, seeks a healer, and discovers that the only man who can save her and give her back her voice is the Dragonslayer. After her successful healing, the Soprano starts singing again. As a bonus for readers, some of the poems have hyperlinks that allow you to listen to them recorded as songs.
The Soprano, the Monster, and the Dragonslayer is a collection that effectively blends words, music, and images (you find artistic designs by Carol Collett before each poem). I wrote above that Stopher Klein's book is innovative, and the perfect interweaving of all these elements gives it originality and charm. Each of the poems of The Soprano, the Monster, and the Dragonslayer is remarkable for the story it tells. They are detailed pictures, and whether you listen to the recordings or read the words, they will mesmerize you. I consider them as delightful pieces of a wonderful puzzle. The Soprano, the Monster, and the Dragonslayer is one of the best collections of poems I have read in recent times. I cannot wait to read more work by Vashti Stopher Klein, and I hope it will happen soon.
If you think poetry collections are all the same and that it is difficult, perhaps impossible, to find an innovative one, you will have to reconsider your opinion. I had one of the most pleasant surprises myself when I found Vashti Stopher Klein's The Soprano, the Monster, and the Dragonslayer. The book begins with an allegory. An ill Soprano dreams about an evil monster, seeks a healer, and discovers that the only man who can save her and give her back her voice is the Dragonslayer. After her successful healing, the Soprano starts singing again. As a bonus for readers, some of the poems have hyperlinks that allow you to listen to them recorded as songs.
The Soprano, the Monster, and the Dragonslayer is a collection that effectively blends words, music, and images (you find artistic designs by Carol Collett before each poem). I wrote above that Stopher Klein's book is innovative, and the perfect interweaving of all these elements gives it originality and charm. Each of the poems of The Soprano, the Monster, and the Dragonslayer is remarkable for the story it tells. They are detailed pictures, and whether you listen to the recordings or read the words, they will mesmerize you. I consider them as delightful pieces of a wonderful puzzle. The Soprano, the Monster, and the Dragonslayer is one of the best collections of poems I have read in recent times. I cannot wait to read more work by Vashti Stopher Klein, and I hope it will happen soon.
Recommend this book:
Eleven Sundry Flowers
Frank Mundo
2022 Silver Medal
Kindle Edition
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Poetry - Love/Romance
Reviewed by Bruce Arrington for Readers' Favorite
Eleven Sundry Flowers by Frank Mundo is both a picture book and an inspirational book of love poems. Though relatively short, an enormous amount of artwork and thoughts about life, love, and how the writer truly enjoys his existence fill the pages. The artwork and writing are so intertwined it is nearly impossible to separate the two. First of all, the illustrations are like nothing I have ever seen before. Each page is a carefully arranged collection of minutely detailed beautiful images. There are ancient gods, cherubs, the sun, the moon, and a myriad of planets, to name a few. It’s plain to see that a lot of work has gone into the fashioning of each page to bring about a story almost of itself. But those artful pictures do need the words, or the book becomes difficult to understand.
The poems are of romance, dotted with old English, and filled with nuances, deep meanings, and bold expressions of affection. It’s clearly apparent this man is in love with his Nancy, and the carefully chosen words of closeness and desire offer a bright and positive perspective on life itself. The poetry strongly shows how falling in love with someone can completely change a person’s perspective and their enjoyment of everyday living. Eleven Sundry Flowers by Frank Mundo is a profound piece of work that expresses intensely personal thoughts of love and yet is universal. It's such a fresh and positive presentation of love that it leaves me blown away! I highly recommend this extraordinary book.
Eleven Sundry Flowers by Frank Mundo is both a picture book and an inspirational book of love poems. Though relatively short, an enormous amount of artwork and thoughts about life, love, and how the writer truly enjoys his existence fill the pages. The artwork and writing are so intertwined it is nearly impossible to separate the two. First of all, the illustrations are like nothing I have ever seen before. Each page is a carefully arranged collection of minutely detailed beautiful images. There are ancient gods, cherubs, the sun, the moon, and a myriad of planets, to name a few. It’s plain to see that a lot of work has gone into the fashioning of each page to bring about a story almost of itself. But those artful pictures do need the words, or the book becomes difficult to understand.
The poems are of romance, dotted with old English, and filled with nuances, deep meanings, and bold expressions of affection. It’s clearly apparent this man is in love with his Nancy, and the carefully chosen words of closeness and desire offer a bright and positive perspective on life itself. The poetry strongly shows how falling in love with someone can completely change a person’s perspective and their enjoyment of everyday living. Eleven Sundry Flowers by Frank Mundo is a profound piece of work that expresses intensely personal thoughts of love and yet is universal. It's such a fresh and positive presentation of love that it leaves me blown away! I highly recommend this extraordinary book.
Recommend this book:
Shadows of the Trees
Poems & Prose
Michael Cook
2022 Gold Medal
117 Pages
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Poetry - Love/Romance
Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite
In Shadows of the Trees: Poems & Prose by Michael W. Cook, poetry is music put into words. Some of this music is somber, sad, indeed emotional, while others express joy and elation and a sense of purpose, a direction in life. Poetry is also like the visual arts in that it uses words to paint literary pictures of events, happenings, emotions, and life itself. In poetry, one can absorb the poet’s transition through life, the maturing of years of experience after manipulating the myriad of complex tangents of youth, and then it’s time to think back: “Time is perplexing/ and hard to define./ Its haste is vexing,/ obscure, and sublime.” I love the use of sublime in comparison with the abstract concept of time.
Michael W. Cook’s Shadows of the Trees is a collection of poems that spans the 1990s. The poet mainly uses the traditional classic poetry form, complete with rhyming couplets, but he also includes some examples of his free-verse poems. Beginning with a concise introduction, the poet explains the background to this collection and then allocates each poem to a specific category of the year in which it was written. The collection begins with reflections on life as a university student: “Infinite diversities,/ infinite combinations./ No universities,/ in the beginnings of creation.” Thank heavens for that, as the beginning of creation one might envision as being too pure to be marred by the confines of institutions of higher learning, the so-called ivory towers. The passage of time is a recurring theme in these poems. In one poem, he begins with a re-write of a childhood rhyme marking the passage of another year, with some painful recollections of the celebration that helped him make the transition. This collection reflects on multiple meanings of life and how the poet comprehends what it means to be alive, what it means to love, and what it means to lose. The poems are monolithic – strong, powerfully emotive, uniform, and indivisible. This is an intense collection that one might want to study many times.
In Shadows of the Trees: Poems & Prose by Michael W. Cook, poetry is music put into words. Some of this music is somber, sad, indeed emotional, while others express joy and elation and a sense of purpose, a direction in life. Poetry is also like the visual arts in that it uses words to paint literary pictures of events, happenings, emotions, and life itself. In poetry, one can absorb the poet’s transition through life, the maturing of years of experience after manipulating the myriad of complex tangents of youth, and then it’s time to think back: “Time is perplexing/ and hard to define./ Its haste is vexing,/ obscure, and sublime.” I love the use of sublime in comparison with the abstract concept of time.
Michael W. Cook’s Shadows of the Trees is a collection of poems that spans the 1990s. The poet mainly uses the traditional classic poetry form, complete with rhyming couplets, but he also includes some examples of his free-verse poems. Beginning with a concise introduction, the poet explains the background to this collection and then allocates each poem to a specific category of the year in which it was written. The collection begins with reflections on life as a university student: “Infinite diversities,/ infinite combinations./ No universities,/ in the beginnings of creation.” Thank heavens for that, as the beginning of creation one might envision as being too pure to be marred by the confines of institutions of higher learning, the so-called ivory towers. The passage of time is a recurring theme in these poems. In one poem, he begins with a re-write of a childhood rhyme marking the passage of another year, with some painful recollections of the celebration that helped him make the transition. This collection reflects on multiple meanings of life and how the poet comprehends what it means to be alive, what it means to love, and what it means to lose. The poems are monolithic – strong, powerfully emotive, uniform, and indivisible. This is an intense collection that one might want to study many times.
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