Blog Archives
Reflections: Earth, Heart, Light, Dark
Reflections: Earth, Heart, Light, Dark is a mother-daughter collaboration that explores the intertwined themes of Earth, Heart, Light, and Dark through poetry. The book flows like a seasonal cycle, beginning with poems rooted in nature, moving through love and memory, then toward hope and illumination, and finally into grief, loss, and shadows. Each section feels distinct, yet they all circle back to a shared sense of searching for meaning in both beauty and pain.
Poems like Transition pulled me in with their intimacy, especially the image of a mother’s hands rebuilding a new world after a storm. It felt deeply personal but also universal, the kind of moment that made me stop and think about my own family. I’ll admit, Grandmama caught me off guard with its questions, “What thoughts did you have? Did you think them deserving?” and left me feeling both unsettled and comforted at the same time. That’s what I liked most, the poems didn’t tie everything up neatly. They lingered.
From Ash to Light carried a strong sense of resilience, and I couldn’t help but feel buoyed by its journey from despair to joy. It had this rhythm of stumbling and rising that felt human and raw. On the other hand, Dawn of Forty-Nine leaned more toward classic imagery, almost old-fashioned in its rhymes, which at first jarred me but eventually worked because it added texture to the collection. I found myself rereading those lines about waterfalls and winds, almost like I was letting the words wash over me instead of trying to decode them.
Then there’s the “Dark” section. This is where the book hit hardest for me. You Left Me was plainspoken, almost brutally so, and that stripped-down honesty made it sting. The Waves had this hypnotic pull with its repetition, “Rising above, wave after wave,” that felt like drowning in grief and memory. I could feel the authors letting themselves go to heavier places, and I appreciated that they didn’t shy away. It made the hopeful poems earlier in the book feel more earned, less naïve.
Reflections: Earth, Heart, Light, Dark is for readers who like their poetry to sit somewhere between personal diary and universal myth. It’s not heavy with academic wordplay, but it’s not fluff either. If you enjoy quiet evenings with a book that makes you pause, maybe even tear up, this one is a must-read. Personally, I closed it feeling like I had sat down with two voices who weren’t afraid to be vulnerable, and that’s something I’ll always admire in poetry.
Pages: 38 | ASIN : B0FFNGQ15P
Pause For a Moment
Navigation is a poetry collection that serves as a compass through personal memory, cultural history, and collective grief. What inspired you to write this particular collection of poems?
Navigation is truly a collection, a gathering of poems that I have written over a number of years about a variety of topics. When I realized that there were certain themes connecting various poems, I decided I could organize them into a cohesive collection. The topics range from exploring childhood/teenage memories to bridging nature and the human experience. The power of home and the importance of place also play a large part in this book, as does connecting to my Indigenous roots.
Were there any poems that were particularly difficult to write? If so, why?
The most difficult poems for me to write were the ones about my late father. He was such a talented, intelligent man who never had the opportunity to achieve his dreams, so I find myself returning again and again to the idea of an unfulfilled life. It is always painful to lose a parent, but I think the grief is magnified when that parent’s life was never completely realized.
How has this poetry book changed you as a writer, or what did you learn about yourself through writing it?
My first full-length book, unlike the two that followed, was also a collection of personal poems. When it was published, I felt some trepidation about exposing myself, laying bare some very private aspects of my life. Navigation also contains some extremely personal poems, but I think over the last few years, I have learned to feel less self-conscious about my poems. It is my hope that readers will be able to connect with the honesty and perhaps see themselves and their own lives in my experiences.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your poetry?
I hope my readers can find a thought, a phrase, or even a word that will make them pause for just a moment and reflect. I wish for my readers to find in my work something that they can relate to in their own lives, even if we come from totally different regions or backgrounds. I truly believe that one of the main purposes of poetry is to help us connect as human beings.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Website
—Annie Woodford, author of Where You Come From Is Gone
I have read much poetry. I know many poets. I believe the job of good poetry and good poets is to move their readers, and oh Lord, has Linda Neal Reising’s new book, Navigation, moved me. What can I possibly say to prepare a reader for what lies ahead as they navigate through the four parts that make up this book? The opening poem of Part I, “After Learning That a Woman and Her Baby Were Killed in the Bombing of a Ukrainian Maternity Hospital” seizes you in its grasp and propels you page after page. The Americana, the well-chosen epigraphs, the Native understanding of the land and the trials of poor families during hard times are masterful. This is a book not to be missed.
—Ron Wallace, author of Life Is a Disappearing Act
If one were sailing the sea of life “in a little paper boat,” the waypoints leading to some proverbial safe harbor would be easily recognized along the course so capably charted in Reising’s Navigation. With her distinctive imagination…the cardinal“slipped off her wings, and chose to walk all the way back to heaven,” and her exceptional percipience of real life experiences, Reising reveals the mastery of her poetic skills. And in spite of life’s obstacles, Reising suggests a safe harbor is within sight…a place where “sparrows sky-write lovelorn letters, where cedars keep sentry…” where “the apricot tree grows tiny moons.”
—Karen Kay Knauss, poet, Oklahoma Book Award winner for SAND, At the Mercy of Wind
Navigation
Linda Neal Reising’s Navigation is a poetry collection that serves as a compass through personal memory, cultural history, and collective grief. Split into four parts, the book traverses everything from Native American identity to coming-of-age nostalgia to haunting reckonings with war and environmental collapse. At its core, this is a book about mapping trauma, tenderness, and survival in lyric form.
What really struck me was the way Reising’s poems blend elegance with grit. In “After Learning That a Woman and Her Baby Were Killed in the Bombing of a Ukrainian Maternity Hospital,” Reising writes of a cardinal’s remains as “feathers so pale a red they verge on pink,” a line that knocked the wind out of me. It’s delicate, yes, but brutal in its imagery. There’s no hiding from sorrow here. She doesn’t preach, she mourns. And in doing so, she lets you mourn too. That balance of beauty and ache shows up again in “Earth Day Lockdown,” where goats and jackals reclaim cities during COVID, as if nature’s revenge is not violent but theatrical. It’s weirdly funny and deeply sad.
I also loved the nostalgic, rough-edged sweetness of her childhood and youth recollections. “Dolly’s Debut” is a standout, so vivid, I felt like I was there in front of that new Zenith TV set, eating popcorn and watching Dolly Parton sparkle onto the screen for the first time. The mix of admiration and longing is infectious. Similarly, “Partial Eclipse” captures the awkward magic of being a seventh-grader with a shoebox solar viewer and a million questions you’re too young to answer. Her ability to make the small moments feel cosmic and vice versa is what gives the book so much punch.
Then there’s the raw nerve of her poems about generational trauma, especially those tied to her Cherokee heritage. “Education of a Sixth-Generation Cherokee Refugee” gutted me. Her grandmother didn’t pass down traditions, only superstitions and fear. That sense of loss, of something beautiful never even getting the chance to take root, hangs heavy. And in “Disappeared” and “The Poetry of Their Names,” Reising doesn’t flinch from the horrors of Native boarding schools and the epidemic of missing Indigenous women. These poems are like open wounds, necessary, unforgettable, hard to read, and harder to ignore.
Navigation is a powerful, heartfelt book for readers who love poetry that tells stories and stirs things up. It’s not airy or academic, but it’s grounded, lyrical, and bold. If you’ve ever felt lost, Reising might not hand you a map, but she’ll sit with you in the wilderness.
Pages: 90 | ISBN : 1639806903
The Intricacies of Life
The Edges is a collection of poems spanning the human experience, addressing topics such as growth, loss, and wonder. What inspired you to write this particular collection of poems?
I found inspiration for The Edges in our lives’ delicate balance of light and shadow. I tried to grasp the universal truths common to everyone, regardless of their origins or situations.
This collection draws heavily from my personal experiences. Composing these poems turned into a voyage of self-exploration, a method to navigate my emotions and present them to encourage others to contemplate their own experiences—those instances of change, sorrow, and happiness that shape our lives.
At its core, The Edges is an homage to the complexities of life and what we all share.
Did you write these poems with a specific audience in mind, or was it a more personal endeavor?
Writing The Edges was a personal endeavor rooted in my reflections and experiences. Initially, the poems served as a means for me to process my thoughts and emotions, allowing me to explore the intricacies of life from a deeply personal perspective. I found solace in writing, using it as a tool to make sense of moments that felt chaotic or overwhelming.
However, as the collection began to take shape, I became increasingly aware of the potential audience. I started to envision readers who might resonate with the themes of growth, loss, and wonder—individuals navigating their edges. This awareness guided me to balance personal narrative and universal experience. I wanted the poems to feel relatable, inviting readers to see themselves within the lines and reflect on their journeys.
Ultimately, while the collection began as an intimate exploration of my feelings, it evolved into a shared conversation with readers. I hoped to create a space where others could find comfort, connection, and understanding, allowing them to reflect on their own experiences while feeling less alone in their struggles and triumphs. In this way, the poems bridge my journey and the collective human experience.
What was the biggest challenge you faced in putting together this poetry collection?
My biggest challenge in assembling The Edges was navigating the delicate balance between vulnerability and authenticity. I grappled with the fear of revealing too much and of making myself too vulnerable on the page while also understanding that a genuine connection with readers comes from that very honesty.
Additionally, organizing the poems to create a seamless flow was challenging. I wanted each piece to stand alone while contributing to the larger tapestry of human experience. It was a process of trial and error, moving poems around, listening to their voices, and ultimately finding an organic structure.
Can we expect to see more poetry from you soon? What are you currently working on?
Yes, you can expect more poetry from me shortly! I am currently immersed in a new collection of 33 poems titled Immigrant Dreams, which will be published on January 17. This project is particularly close to my heart, as it explores the complex tapestry of experiences surrounding immigration—capturing the hopes, struggles, and dreams of those who leave their homelands in search of a better life.
In Immigrant Dreams, I delve into the myriad emotions of this journey: the longing for home, the challenges of adaptation, and the resilience that emerges in the face of adversity. Each poem seeks to honor the stories of individuals who have navigated the often tumultuous waters of migration, reflecting both the beauty and the hardships inherent in their experiences.
In this collection, I found inspiration from personal narratives, interviews, and historical accounts, weaving them into poetic forms that resonate with the shared human experience. I hope this work amplifies marginalized voices and fosters empathy and understanding among readers.
I’m excited to share this journey with you and look forward to unveiling Immigrant Dreams in the coming weeks. Thank you for your continued support, and I hope my upcoming work resonates with you just as deeply!
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Amazon
Love & War: A celebration of love in all its forms and complexities and an exploration of human suffering in the raw and brutal realities of war.
Nature & Cosmos: A journey through the untamed wilderness and boundless expanse of the universe, where the mysteries of existence unravel in whispers of wind and starlight.
Time & Memories: Threads of reminiscence woven into time’s fabric, where nostalgia and reflection entwine.
Seasons & Liminal Spaces: Capturing time’s ebb and flow in seasons and liminal spaces, between what was, what is, and what will be.
Observations & Views: Perspectives painted with the strokes of keen observation and introspection, offering glimpses into the diverse landscapes of the human mind.
Wounds & Contemplations: A canvas of healing and introspection, where individuals wear scars as badges of resilience and contemplations resound in the chambers of the soul.
Together, these sections create a multifaceted exploration of the human experience, inviting readers to engage deeply with the themes of love, nature, time, and the complexities of existence.
On the Verge
Marie Rickmyer’s On the Verge is a delicate, unflinching collection of poems exploring life, trauma, and family. Each piece drips with nostalgia, capturing the quiet fragility of memory—like a glass pane trembling under the weight of lived experience. Rickmyer invites readers into intimate spaces: kitchens brimming with warmth and chaos, childhoods that linger like faint scars, and moments suspended between joy and sorrow. Here, nostalgia and trauma are not at odds but intertwined, stitched together by subtle, aching beauty—a weight of sunlight, the quiet despair of witnessing your mother as both parent and person.
Reading these poems feels like overhearing deeply personal conversations—tender, raw, and unfiltered. Rickmyer’s words evoke the weariness of her mother, the emptiness left by absence, and the heavy silence of unspoken longings. It is not a collection concerned with life’s grandeur but with its endurance: the sacred moments hidden within the mundane.
From the start, On the Verge captivated me with its thematic focus on memory, trauma, and fractured families. Admittedly, I hesitated at first—the poem structure and style felt unconventional—but the writing quickly grew on me. Each piece unfolded like a film, vivid and visceral, with no pretense or grandiosity. Rickmyer’s simplicity is piercing. Her lines feel less like crafted poetry and more like confessions, whispered truths, or rants from someone intimately familiar. For a moment, you are there—in her mother’s kitchen, at the edge of her grief, alongside flowers bathed in memory—transported not just into her life but, uncannily, into your own. The poems “Pantoum on Mother” and “Elegy for My Brother” are especially powerful, confronting the quiet burdens we carry and the losses we never fully release. Rickmyer captures what we inherit and what we endure, often at the same time. Her language is so personal, her imagery so immediate, that the connection feels inevitable. It resonates deeply, like a shared ache you never realized existed.
Marie Rickmyer’s On the Verge holds a quiet power, subtle yet relentless, like a stream carving its path through stone. By the final poem, I felt as though I had lived through a lifetime of someone else’s struggles and small victories. It is a book I will return to—a companion for moments when I need to be reminded of the quiet beauty of endurance. On the Verge is intensely personal yet strangely familiar, as though Rickmyer isn’t just telling her story but yours, too. It is a testament to the weight of memory and the tenderness of survival—an unforgettable offering of truth, nostalgia, and fragile beauty.
Pages: 74 | ASIN : B0DFMVG9DD
The Edges
Caro Henry’s The Edges is a beautifully layered anthology that feels like a delicate weaving of the human experience into poetic and prose expressions. Divided into themed sections—Love & War, Nature & Cosmos, Time & Memories, and more—it captures both the universal and the intensely personal. Henry’s voice is tender yet unyielding, as she navigates life’s edges—those transitional spaces of growth, loss, and wonder.
The writing feels both intimate and expansive. The vivid imagery of war’s aftermath lingers in my mind. It reminded me of how trauma etches itself not only onto landscapes but also onto the souls of people. Similarly, the piece “Crows Descending” speaks to the resilience and command of nature, describing birds with such reverence that I felt I was right there watching them feast. The author’s knack for detail makes each piece resonate like a shared memory. Henry’s exploration of time and memory is particularly touching. There’s a universality in these depictions of loss and connection, and it made me pause to reflect on the fleeting nature of my own memories. Meanwhile, the cosmic awe in “Cassiopeia A” made me marvel at humanity’s smallness in the universe while also celebrating our drive to understand it. I was especially moved by Henry’s lyrical voice in pieces like “Sensual,” where intimacy is painted with unflinching honesty. The shifts between gentle and raw made me feel like a voyeur in the best possible way—witnessing something intensely human yet grand in its simplicity. Her ability to balance such deeply personal emotions with profound, almost philosophical reflections is a triumph.
The Edges, by Caro Henry, is not a casual read; it demands attention and reflection. But that’s its beauty—it’s perfect for anyone who loves poetry that challenges the mind and stirs the soul. Whether you’re a fan of poignant meditations on love, reflections on war, or simply lyrical odes to nature and existence, this book will leave a mark. It certainly left one on me.
Pages: 237 | ASIN : B0DH7SNSGP
My Lost Pages
Poetry collections are always an enigma, their depths as varied as the voices that create them. Sneha Sabu’s My Lost Pages offers an immersive journey into the poet’s psyche, where each poem unfolds like a spontaneous dialogue with her subconscious. This collection brims with fleeting moods and restless introspection, carrying the reader through meditations on identity, existence, and the enigmatic essence of being alive.
Written in free verse, Sabu’s poetry defies structure while embracing rhythm, drawing comparisons to literary greats like William Blake, Ezra Pound, and Emily Dickinson. Some pieces stand solitary, sharp and self-contained, while others spill into one another, creating a seamless stream of thought. Reading these poems feels akin to stepping into a lucid dream, where the boundaries between musings and realities blur. Sabu muses on the delicate threads connecting life’s vastness to her inner world, weaving disparate ideas into an intricate tapestry of thought.
The collection invites two modes of engagement. One can focus on the impact of individual poems, letting their emotional resonance linger and evolve. Alternatively, one might search for a greater narrative—subtle connections bridging the poems into a singular exploration of meaning. Both approaches reward the reader with insights that feel both deeply personal and universally reflective. A unique touch comes from Sabu’s candid notes accompanying each piece. These glimpses into her creative process transform the collection into an intimate conversation, fostering a sense of closeness between poet and reader. The transparency adds another layer of depth, allowing the audience to peer into the moments of inspiration behind the verses. Together, these poems form a soothing cascade, washing over the reader with their contemplative tones and evocative imagery.
The collection creates an atmosphere of serenity rarely achieved in prose, inviting reflection and stillness. Sabu’s voice emerges as both plaintive and probing—confident in some moments, tentatively exploring in others. She traverses the complexities of existence with grace and curiosity, seeking to unravel life’s intricate mysteries.
My Lost Pages is a lyrical meditation, one that lingers in the mind and invites repeated readings. It is as much an exploration of the poet’s inner world as it is a mirror for the reader’s own thoughts and feelings. Sabu proves herself a voice worth listening to—raw, reflective, and profoundly human.
Pages: 87 | ASIN : B0CX5CBV6S
Caffeinated
Annette Gagliardi’s Caffeinated is a playful and thought-provoking tribute to our beloved daily brews. The poems are inspired by caffeine culture, intertwining humor, warmth, and occasional gravity. With its energetic verses about coffee and tea, the collection explores everything from morning rituals to philosophical musings fueled by our favorite stimulants. Each page offers a unique poetic reflection, whether it’s about the simple pleasure of a first cup in “Morning Wakeup” or an ode to the sensory delights of chocolate and its endorphin-releasing magic in “An Ode to Cacao.”
One of my favorite aspects of the collection is how it balances the everyday with the profound. “Worker Bees” dives into the monotony of daily routines, likening caffeine-seekers to “lemmings” and capturing the grind (pun intended) of modern work life. It’s relatable, but it leaves you thinking about our dependence on productivity and stimulation. Gagliardi also explores vivid sensory experiences, bringing morning beverages to life in a way that feels tangible. “Gourmand of Orange” is luscious, detailing a character devouring a tangerine, even stealing its color and scent. But then there’s “Murder for Tea,” which jars you back to harsh realities, juxtaposing the serenity of a garden party with the brutality of human violence. It’s a striking contrast, making you question how we find comfort amidst chaos. The emotional swing in these poems is sharp but effective.
Despite the lighthearted premise, the collection doesn’t shy away from thoughtful or somber themes. “Our Daily Excess” comments on society’s emotional numbness and the blaring noise of our exaggerated reactions. It makes you pause to wonder if we’ve truly lost “whole octaves of feeling.” The juxtaposition of these deep reflections with fun, caffeinated poems makes the reading experience rich and varied. By the end, “Homeward Bound” wraps up with a comforting sentiment, bringing us back to the warmth of home and routine.
Caffeinated is perfect for poetry lovers who appreciate a mix of humor and sincerity. It’s a great pick-me-up for anyone who enjoys reflecting on the small and powerful pleasures of life. Fans of accessible yet thoughtful verse will find this collection a rewarding read, especially if you love coffee, tea, or both.
Pages: 40 | ISBN : 9198959824
