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