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Realms of my Soul III: A Golden Gift
Realms of My Soul III by Lali A. Love is an exquisite collection of autobiographical poems that take readers on a captivating journey. The anthology is divided into two sections, the first, Fifth Decade: Alchemising with Hope, and the second, My Masterclass. The combined sections feature a total of 120 poems, each preceded by a short verse.
Love’s ability to infuse her personal experiences into her poetic expressions is truly remarkable. While maintaining a sense of mystery and leaving out specific details, she manages to evoke powerful emotions through her choice of poem titles. Soul Leaks, A Triggering Gift, and Vast Creation are just a few examples that delicately touch upon profound themes such as desire, anxiety, and passion.
The beauty of Love’s poetry lies in its thought-provoking nature. Although some lines may initially appear metaphorical, they hold deeper meanings that leave the reader pondering long after reading. For instance, lines like ‘Could language be a technical force/ Functioning as the software of the mind’ from the poem Human Language, and ‘A spirit bearing an olive tree’ in Blue Bird Chanting, showcase Love’s ability to create imagery that is both evocative and profound.
Realms of My Soul III is a testament to Love’s personal growth and her journey toward inner peace. While the poems tend to be more abstract and lacking in specific instances, the language she employs and the vivid imagery she paints make for a captivating read. The verses, presented against stone backgrounds, add an extra layer of allure to the collection.
Though I appreciate the overall artistry of the poems, I would have loved to see more concrete instances and vivid imagery incorporated rather than relying solely on philosophical and metaphorical phrases. In today’s world, where such expressions are commonplace, adding specific instances and detailed images would have given the poems an even greater impact.
Realms of My Soul III by Lali A. Love is a poetic journey that emanates from the depths of the author’s soul. Love’s masterful use of language and evocative imagery make it a valuable read.
Pages: 260 | ASIN : B0C6NBB8TW
Haiku, Schmaiku, and Headin’ Out to Sea
Haiku, Schmaiku, and Headin’ Out to Sea is a fascinating book filled with author David Bayard’s personal poetry about his life experiences. The author surmises, on the first page of the book, the topics within this collection: “rabbit holes, flying metal boxes, churches, trees, the Higgs Boson particle, squirrels, underwear, and sea odysseys.”
First, I have to say my favorite poem in Bayard’s book has to be Crow. Though it is one of the short and simple ones, I like a poem with rhyme and rhythm. Crows (the animal, not the poem) are incredibly intelligent creatures and are not as appreciated as they should be. This small poem sums up their most unique and beautiful qualities perfectly. I also particularly liked one of the author’s first poems, Sailor. A song about doing what you love no matter what other people might say. The poem has a nautical theme that represents life’s troubles, conquests, and adventures and kind of reminds me of children dreaming of becoming pirates and sailing the seven seas.
There is no definitive definition of poetry or how it should be constructed, there are the basics, but poetry is whatever the author deems it to be. And like any art form, poetry is in the eye of the beholder. I found many of these poems to be little gems. Falling Into Holes, for example, has an Alice in Wonderland theme, but by the end of the poem, the author switches over to Winnie the Pooh and Hundred Acre Woods which is a pleasantly unexpected twist. This mash-up of children’s books and their characters was a unique experience that leaves the reader questioning if there is any connection between the two.
I enjoyed the images that accompanied the poems as they helped me reflect more on the meaning of the poems. It seems like Bayard has left many of his poems open for interpretation, and I enjoyed that because I could sit and reflect on what I had just read.
Haiku, Schmaiku, and Going Out to Sea: Poetry as Looking Glass, Poetry as Mirror is a collection of poems for those who enjoy nontraditional works and unusual topics. Included in this collection is the author’s own photography and artwork, making this a magnificent piece of art as well.
Pages: 164 | ISBN : 0996738088
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