 |
Who live in Lismore.
Ere the rains came,
It had been very dry before,
But see what a difference
A few days make,
And how the weather gods
Both give and take."
Part poetry collection, part personal memoir, this unique book guides readers through one man’s lifetime of adventurous experiences. Readers meet an array of interesting side characters. Their appearances in the collection remind one that a well-lived life includes interacting with and observing others because their story is part of one’s own. Other poems are philosophical, contemplating spirituality, nature’s forces, and human nature. Some poems suggest one look beyond one's own comforts and remember those less fortunate. The mini-essays between poems disclose the author’s writing process and experiences and the inspirational moments for many of the collection’s pieces. Most of all, this work embodies the idea that life is to be enjoyed and that poetry can serve as a grounding force in one’s existence.
This book is like a carefully curated museum. It not only includes poems and personal entries but also features photographs that help readers see the author’s life. One of the most memorable parts is when the author details that they “cannot type on or operate a computer.” Instead, they “write in unlined A4 notebooks.” This revelation is intimate and personal, and it reveals how important the act of writing can be in a person’s life. With a keen eye for the world and the self, the poems’ speaker embraces each moment of life offers them. Each poem becomes a quiet celebration of daily life, the people who make it interesting, the landscapes that shape an individual, and the moments that help define a person. These poems are sure to make readers appreciate poetry and maybe even begin writing it.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review