"What is this happiness we seek
The source of which our senses peak
To find this answer we must first
Define the word for which we thirst."
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A Poetic Kaleidoscope by T.W. Goodrich Trafford Publishing
book review by Staff
Words caress the page like fresh raindrops landing softly on life's forever youthful cheeks. This is the feeling that will consume readers of A Poetic Kaleidoscope, a compelling collection of the good and the bad that combine to be called life. Some poems such as "Purgatory" and "Vices" touch on the balance between sins and positivity and read almost like a narrative. Others like "Finding Time," "Regret," and "A Bucket List" delve into a perhaps intimidating stage of life that generally fosters fear and anxiety. While Goodrich portrays his topics as they are—without sugarcoating—he expertly examines daunting aspects of life from a supremely optimistic point of view. For instance, Goodrich's "Retirement," concedes that a significant transition period is in the cards; however, he portrays retirement as a second life, another chance to get cracking at that bucket list that should have been completed long ago.
At the heart of the poet's treatise on life is "Building Memories," a poem that is sure to be a favorite among readers because of its trancelike rhythm and emphatic verse. For instance, the speaker in this poem exclaims, good or bad, "BUILDING BUILDING MEMORIES, BUILDING ALL THOSE MEMORIES, ALL WE ARE IS MEMORIES, THIS IS OUR FINAL TIME." Read between the lines and one may discern the penetrating glare of one's own memories—or those that should have been, but weren't.
Appropriately titled, A Poetic Kaleidoscope has something for all readers: short, long, deep, simple, painful, and hopeful poems provide a panoramic portrait of the minute moments that make up this monumental concept called life. Although poems such as "Perception" and "Donna’s Tale" depict individuals as ever-changing chameleons, "Rise and Shine," "Dare to Dream," and "Rainbow World," infuse the audience with hope and a renewed belief in possibilities.
Like many poetry compilations, Goodrich's poetry has a metaphysical dimension that explores the idea of what happiness really is and whether time, in fact, exists. Simple yet succinct poems like "Call Home," and "Thinking Outside the Box," steal the readers' imagination. "Pearl," on the other hand, makes the reader ponder the idea of perception and the often clichéd phrase, "One man's trash is another man’s treasure." The following sneak peak of "Pearl," is both mesmerizing and thought provoking: "Pearls are so pure and fine/To a lady so refined/To an oyster they are just/A growth that leaves them in disgust."
As with a delicious meal, Goodrich's poetry hits the spot: nearly flawless rhyme patterns, use of metaphors, and colorful language make this a tantalizing read.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review