 |
Two words on the opposite sides of the spectrum encapsulate a lifetime of events, which is inevitably the middle. In Coleman’s introspective poetry compilation, she probes and explores the journey of life through the lens of the Lord’s light. From gratitude for the human body that is gifted with the intuition to feel unlike any other species to delivering an appreciation for the myriad of different experiences each person possesses, the prose is an ode to God’s mercy and unyielding, unconditional love, one that has remained just as fervent at the beginning, when he made us, as it will be in the end, when he will deliver us back to his kingdom.
As people meander through life, they encounter temptations and deception that steer them away from God’s love. Yet in poems like “Birthright,” Coleman makes it abundantly clear that these vices are temporary, pending only one’s awakening to see that which is simple and right in front of us: the Lord’s blessing. In a constant theme throughout the work, the author implores audiences to break free of the bubble they’re currently in, to see the life beyond themselves, and understand that their mere existence makes them larger than life, larger than themselves.
From a stylistic perspective, the prose uses interrogative musings to ponder what it will take for audiences to understand that if the beginning is life, and the end is death, then we start dying from the time we live, and the two are inexorably interconnected. Interestingly, in the anthology, numerous concepts symbolize a metaphorical death, with the lack of growth and stagnancy as prime culprits contributing to malaise in one’s spiritual life.
Coleman does a commendable job of using imagery to paint a visceral picture, particularly with her use of the eyes sprinkled throughout as an emblem of awakening and understanding. Poems like “My Revelation” take this theme a step further by weaving in the idea of embracing whichever situation comes your way and truly abiding by the cliche of if life gives you lemons, make lemonade. When one takes the time out to step into their highest selves, they can then begin to see the catalysts that led to the peaks and valleys that life delivered to them. And while there is no consistent rhyme scheme in the poetry, the steady dose of short, lyrical stanzas provides great pacing and flow that allows readers to keep turning the pages effortlessly.
Perennial biblical themes of truth and soul are directly juxtaposed with deceit, but poems like “Failing to Check with God” convey the importance of unconditional trust in God, especially in times of greatest turbulence. Further, the author makes a concerted effort to weave emotions and feelings ranging from jubilation to tears to inject a distinctly human element into faith-based literature. There isn’t a strict adherence-or-else mindset, but rather one of acceptance, tolerance, and love, no matter where the individual is in their life’s journey. Strong imagery coupled with an even more seamless flow and authenticity make this poetry compilation a raw and meaningful experience.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review