Blog Archives
Oceans of Thoughts Book One
Rosalind Severin McClean’s Oceans of Thoughts: Book One is a soul-stirring collection of poems and reflections that journeys through loss, memory, identity, and spiritual awakening. Woven with rich cultural threads from the author’s Dominican roots and anchored in emotional honesty, the book moves through grief and resilience—most notably in the heartfelt tributes to her late sister Yvonne—and offers powerful insights into family, society, and selfhood. Each piece pulses with raw feeling, blending biblical, spiritual, and philosophical touchstones with vivid, everyday language. There are sections dedicated to homeland pride, family struggles, and poignant memories of Convent School days in Dominica, all wrapped in poetic sincerity.
Reading McClean’s work felt like stepping into someone’s journal. Her voice is unfiltered, brimming with emotion, sometimes aching, sometimes rejoicing. She doesn’t just describe her pain; she hands it to you, palms open. Her poems about Yvonne—especially the “Floods of Emotions” series—hit hard. They’re full of yearning and beauty and that special kind of ache that comes from love not lost, but changed. And the spiritual reflections? They’re raw, unguarded. She praises, questions, and obeys the divine call, all in the same breath. There’s something brave in how she lets her faith carry the reader through the peaks and valleys of her experience.
But the book isn’t just about grief or even poetry—it’s about memory and voice. The school recollections are rich and playful, filled with sensory delight and childhood charm. Her style doesn’t chase polish. It doesn’t try to be highbrow. It’s emotional and lyrical, but not pretentious. Some lines are jagged, others smooth. And that’s the beauty—it breathes. Her use of dialect in parts adds authenticity and flavor, keeping the text rooted in the real while reaching for the divine.
This is not a light read, nor is it something you breeze through. It’s reflective, spiritual, and often mournful—but healing too. I’d recommend Oceans of Thoughts: Book One to anyone grieving a loved one, anyone who feels the push and pull of family ties, and anyone curious about the sacred in everyday life. It’s especially meaningful for those with Caribbean roots or a love for memory-laced storytelling. You’ll find yourself pausing, rereading, and maybe even crying. It’s not just a book. It’s a heart cracked open.
Pages: 165 | ASIN : B08NSCFR8W
Salvation: Poems on Finding Love Again
Salvation: Poems on Finding Love Again by Pablo Camacho, an award-winning Puerto Rican author, is a profound collection of poems that delve into themes of belief, personal growth, love, and healing. Drawing from his diverse life experiences, including a military background and extensive travels across the United States and the world, Camacho crafts poetry that resonates deeply with readers seeking solace, encouragement, and the courage to embrace love once more.
More than just a book of poetry, Salvation offers a journey of emotional exploration. Camacho’s poems provide not only comfort and peace but also inspire readers who are mending past wounds or embarking on new relationships. Through his sincere reflections, Camacho invites readers into his world, sharing experiences that evoke a sense of hope and the possibility of renewal. The universal themes in Camacho’s poetry highlight the power of choice in living a life worth documenting. He suggests that wisdom is hidden in every corner of our lives, waiting to be uncovered by those brave enough to seek it. Camacho’s writing is marked by its graceful flow and vivid imagery. His use of allegory invites readers to explore deeper layers of meaning within each poem. In To Heal and Fix, for example, Camacho writes of a lover as “a flower planted in the deepest recesses of my heart, roots wrapped around my rib cage, and from my chest, you sprout.” This striking imagery creates an evocative and poignant experience for readers, engaging both the mind and the heart. Similarly, in the brief yet powerful poem Best Friend, the bond between friends is tenderly captured in lines like, “your worries are mine,” and “you are a treasure I will always protect.”
Salvation: Poems on Finding Love Again is a book that I highly recommend to all readers. Both adults and children can learn from Camacho’s mastery of style and rhythm while also discovering a refreshing perspective on love and life. His poetry opens the door to new ways of seeing the world, making this collection a valuable addition to anyone’s reading list.
Pages: 127 | ASIN : B0CW1N5L7Z
Live Life and Truly Experience It
Still is a poetry collection offering readers an intimate picture of your family’s journey as immigrants and the adversities and triumphs faced through the years. Why was this an important collection for you to share with readers?
In the last 7 years, I lost a significant number of my loved ones: my dad, my grandmother, my best friend’s mom, my cousins, my dog, etc. The relationship I thought was going to evolve into marriage broke down during this time. I felt life had stopped giving me things and had started to take them away, which makes absolutely no logical sense, but this is where I was at emotionally. Writing the poems that make up this book allowed me to process everything I was feeling during this time. This is why the book is called Still; I had to learn to be in the present moment and allow myself to feel and process whatever I needed to. Also, in Spanish, “still” means “todavia,” as in I’m still here. No matter what, I’m still here, and those that have moved on are with me in my memories and what they taught me. We’re here, and this is our story, and it means the world to me that anyone who reads this book will know them and love them, too.
Your work features so much emotion and many deeply personal experiences. Is there one selection that you hold close to your heart?
Your review singled out the poem “To-Do List.” When I turned 33, I traveled to Paris for my birthday, met a girl, and fell in love. After that I began to learn French because I wanted to communicate with her in her native tongue, to understand her unfiltered. I wanted to know her, and so much is lost in translation. I didn’t want to be the “dumb” boyfriend who just nodded and said “oui” or “oauis.” That long distance relationship lasted two years and disintegrated around the time my dad was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer. I learned about the best of me as well as the worst of me. How kind I could be as well as how petty. It took me years to move past it. I haven’t spoken to her since she messaged me for my birthday the year we broke up. Once I had some perspective, I took my 5th grade reading level French and wrote “Liste à Faire,” or “To-Do List.” With its simple structure, it allowed me to first write it in French and then translate it to English, which took forever, and the French version probably isn’t as sophisticated as I would like it to be, but it was important for me to keep the promise I made to her even if it was only in my mind, even if I never told her. I think on some level I hope it makes its way to her, and that she knows that I hold no ill will towards her; that the years we spent together I treasure, even the bad times, because it made me who I am, which I hope is a better partner to the women who came after and the one I’ll end up with.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from the experiences you share in your collection?
I hope they realize we are connected through our collective experience as human beings. That it is through these connections that we bridge the gaps between us and begin to heal each other. I want them to live life and truly experience it. To connect with others, love deeply, become people of substance, and most of all, to create.
Can readers expect to see more writing from you soon?
My first short story is coming out as part of an anthology from Indie Earth Books this winter, and I loved the experience. It’s probably one of my favorite things I’ve written and that has given me an idea for a novel. Also, I already have a number of poems ready for a second collection.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | Linktree | Website
Still
Still offers readers a journey through the lyrical landscapes of Renzo Del Castillo’s poetry collection, providing insight into the poet’s inner world. His meticulous attention to detail weaves together narratives from different times, creating a vivid tapestry for readers. Through his verse, he invites us into his world of friends, life experiences, and creative musings. While not all poems may be autobiographical, it’s tempting to view them as windows into Del Castillo’s soul.
His piece “To Do List” resonates deeply, striking chords of familiarity with its portrayal of everyday tasks imbued with emotion. Without giving too much away, discovering Del Castillo’s prose is a revelation in itself.
The collection’s narrative style is both accessible and layered, presenting a blend of simplicity and complexity. Readers are encouraged to delve beyond the words, imagining the emotions and stories that pulse beneath the surface. The poet skillfully transforms romantic notions into reflections tinged with melancholy and sadness into expressions of liberation and affection, resembling a personal confessional.
Still, by Renzo Del Castillo, is a literary excursion that traverses both historical and modern-day motifs. It speaks to a broad spectrum of experiences—from the financial woes of student life to the profound love of parenthood and the trials of the human condition. This book demands leisurely contemplation to fully appreciate the nuances of its poetry. For those seeking an immersive slow-read in the realms of verse, Still promises a rewarding and thoughtful experience.
Pages: 160 | ASIN : B0CBT2Z7SB
LITERARY TITAN 