We’re closing out the month so it’s time for Book Review Monday! And we’re closing out National Poetry Month so I’m combining these two endings by sharing some of the poetry collections I’ve collected since last National Poetry Month. This isn’t all of them, but as I looked through the small stack, I saw a theme emerge with these – nature. Nature in the natural world around us, and in the natural world within us. Maybe you’ll find something to collect, too.
Starting out with two! Many of us remember writing haikus in elementary school, those three-line poems of 5-7-5 syllables. These two books are the grown-up versions of that traditional form. Martin Settle’s, Coming to Attention, is a primer on writing haiku, but more importantly, a primer on paying attention to the daily moments that make us stop for just a moment. Scott Owens’, eventually, is filled with images of nature and the emotions sparked by them. Both poets show us how to write and break the rules of traditional form.
Another one by Martin Settle. The Metaphorest reads like a walk in a deep woods, seeing fireflies, kudzu, fox, peepers … and one after my Midwest heart, morel mushrooms. Martin told me nature is his religion, and these poems evoke a sacredness and spirituality that connect with the Creator.
Joyce Compton Brown always fills the senses. In Flowers of the Heavens, Joyce takes us back to her roots again of family, the rural South, and the Earth’s cycles …and our own. She connects with the reader with poems of deep purple irises, speckled pinto beans, and junk mail.
This is Maeve Fox’s debut collection. LettingGo of Me is her story of transitioning from John to Maeve, of loss, and ultimately discovery, acceptance, and celebration. Maeve grounds these themes with the sensory details of grits with butter, the swish of a skirt, and smoke-filled air from a wildfire and more.
A debut collection Richard Band, Solitary Stars is filled with observations on life: playing board games with Grands, oil changes, music, shopping for celery. All written with Richard’s eye for detail and wonderful dry wit, Richard hopes, ‘…that even a solitary poem that captures a reader’s eye can briefly shine.’
And finally, not a book of poetry, but a collection of actual interviews with still-living poets. (Not researched essays from the Dead Poets Society.) My friend and fellow poet, Daniel McGregor, brought this book to my attention and it’s an interesting insight into what these poets think and believe about the world and their own writing. Instead of an academic tone, I feel as if I’m sitting in the room with the poets and Ben Palpant, eavesdropping on the conversations. An enjoyable read whether you write poetry or not.
That’s all for this month’s book suggestions! Here’s where you can find most of the poetry collections, all from small independent presses. If you’re interested in Richard’s, drop me a message.
I hope you have a wonderful week. My peonies started to unfurl last week so I’m taking every opportunity to bury my nose in the blossoms while they last – no ants! I’ll be back at my window on Monday. I hope you’ll join me.
A Writer's Window 