Blog Archives
Honoring My Life Through Poetry
In Little River of Amazements, you invite readers to explore the human experience through your collection of poems featuring a variety of themes from travel to faith and religion. What inspired you to share this collection of poetry?
As I began to work on this collection of new and selected poems, at the urging of my wonderful editor, Diane Frank, of Blue Light Press, I realized it was different from compiling my earlier poetry books. It was constructing a life in poems, a creation of a personal mythology. It took me a long time to complete it – more than three years. Fifty pages are new poems – the others are from my previous collections. I love doing readings from this book because it feels that I am honoring my life, the people, the experiences, the learnings that are its center. And I think much of it relates to universal experience.
Of all the topics you write about in your poems, what is the one that resonates most with you? Do you have a favorite selection?
I can’t really choose one. Several themes unite the poems in this book and run through my life: the sacredness of nature and of the body, the lives of women in history — ancient, medieval, contemporary, the emergence of voice from deep silence and the spiritual silence we grow into, a lifetime search for meaning. My favorite poem in the book is a sequence of poems called “In the Margins of the Pages.” It originally appeared in my book The Illuminations from 2006 and came out of a study of the the Book of Kells, an eighth century illuminated manuscript on display in the library of Trinity College, Dublin. I loved responding to the medieval drawings with a woman’s interpretation. It pulls together so many of the themes that weave throughout all my poems – Celtic and medieval culture, architecture, symbolism, sexuality, interpretations of Christianity, visual art, immanence in nature.
I have also written some wonderful love poems.
What is one thing you hope readers are able to take away from your collection?
I began writing poetry as a response to life and a search for personal illumination. I hope my poems inspire others on their journey and touch people with beauty through the music of language.
Can fans look forward to more poetry from you soon? What are you currently working on?
I am always writing poems and making books. My challenge is to create beauty in new ways. That’s what I am working on.
I will end with a quote from poet Nicholas Gulig: In my experience, poetry, at its best, breathes life into communities because poetry is, in essence, a deeply communal act.
Author Links: Facebook | Website
Little River of Amazements: New and Selected Poems
Little River of Amazements is a captivating poetry collection that delves into a diverse range of themes, from the intimate dynamics of family to the boundless horizons of travel. Mary Kay Rummel’s poems invite readers to contemplate the complexities of the human experience. Her exploration of spirituality, particularly in pieces like “Life is Losing and Reinvention,” is both compelling and relatable, offering a candid perspective on faith and religion.
Rummel’s keen observation of the natural world is evident throughout the collection. Her ability to capture the essence of her surroundings is truly remarkable, as showcased in “Seven Ways to Change the Names of the Days.” The warmth and nostalgia in her portrayal of her deep connection with her grandmother add a poignant layer to the collection. These evocative poems stir memories of time spent with loved ones, creating a sense of intimacy between the reader and the author.
The author’s mastery of language is undeniable. Rummel crafts intricate sentence structures and employs vivid imagery, creating a truly immersive reading experience. Her poetry is both inspiring and challenging, encouraging readers to view the world through a fresh lens. Ordinary experiences are transformed into extraordinary poetic moments through her skillful use of language.
For those with a wanderlust spirit, Rummel’s travel poems offer a vicarious adventure. Her words transport readers to distant lands, inviting them to share in her experiences and insights. Through her poetry, one can almost feel the sun on their skin, the wind in their hair, and the wonder of new cultures. Little River of Amazements by Mary Kay Rummel is an invitation to view the world through the lens of the author. Rummel’s work is a testament to the power of language to evoke emotion, inspire thought, and broaden perspectives. Her ability to find beauty and meaning in the ordinary is a gift she generously shares with her readers.
Pages: 236 | ISBN : 978-1421835570
A Myriad of My Life Experiences
Finding Poetry, Finding Me explores through poetry and art the world around you and the relationships you have with yourselves and others. What inspired this collection of poetry for you and why was it important to share with the world?
This collection of poetry was inspired by a drive to create. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I had the privilege to support approximately 35 authors on their book publishing journeys and realized through this process that I, too, had a story to share. I tossed and turned for months on end about what I wanted to work on and what I wanted my contribution to the literary space to be. Concurrently, I was spending time weekly with a writing group working on honing my craft, and in this space, I was often working on prose or poetry. Ultimately, a large amount of the poems in this collection were written during NANOWRIMO 2022 or just after. I see this collection as the product of a myriad of my life experiences to this point. I truly believe that at the core, we all have a story to share, and I really felt compelled to share mine in the hopes that it would empower someone else to share theirs.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this collection of poetry?
One of the most important things I have learned while learning about the power of poetry is to stop and use my five senses. A lot of my work revolves around the fact that I often struggle to stay present in the moment and stopping to realize that was actually incredibly empowering. It allowed me to be able to write about moments of my life, both positive and negative, with a lens of realism and truth. I hope to convey to readers that they are not alone, that despite horrible things that are going on in our world there is still beauty, and that sometimes just picking up a pen and writing can be the answer that our brain, body, and soul are crying out for.
The artwork and poetry appear to be harmoniously integrated with each other. I am curious to know if the artwork was specifically created to complement the poetry or if it was a natural fit. Would you be able to elaborate on the relationship between the artwork and poetry, and about their creation process?
I decided I wanted to add simple visuals to some of the poems to add another entrance point for my readers and to enhance the way we think about and respond to poetry. My publisher and I worked together over several months to find illustrators and illustrations that worked with certain poems. I couldn’t be happier with how it all turned out.
What is the next book you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
Currently, I am still writing poetry as often as I can, but I have also been working on some playwriting since the publishing of Finding Poetry, Finding Me. I hope to publish a second poetry collection, but it likely won’t be before 2025 as I spend the next year focused on marketing, supporting, and speaking about this current collection. I love writing poetry and writing in general, and I hope I have the privilege to work on another book soon.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | RebeccaPaigeEditor | Linktree | Amazon
until it is streaked with lines
of the world
of my heart.
In Finding Poetry, Finding Me, author Rebecca P. Bruckenstein explores the world around her and the relationships we have with ourselves and each other. She allows the musicality of poetry to infuse the way she walks in the world, stepping in and out of the past, present, and future. Through her work, she hopes readers will turn inward to discover a roadmap to finding their own personal connection to poetry. The poems in this collection range from childhood memories to the residual effects felt after the global COVID-19 pandemic, telling the story of life, friendship, pain, and self-discovery. This illustrated poetry book showcases that poetry can be found everywhere around us.
The Dreamers Who Forgot To Fall Asleep
The Dreamers Who Forgot to Fall Asleep offers readers an introspective journey through a collection of poems that delve into themes of self-discovery, existential dilemmas, and the intricate tapestry of human emotions. Expertly capturing the essence of contemporary prose poetry, the author’s style evokes the candidness and accessibility of social media poetry, making it a delightful read.
For readers of modern prose poetry and fans of poets like Rupi Kaur, this collection promises to be a captivating experience. The collection commences with an intriguing sentiment, “I am an open book,” enticing readers to delve deeper and turn the pages with anticipation. While many of the poems mirror the succinct style prevalent on platforms like Instagram or Tumblr, which has garnered widespread appreciation, the author’s oscillating tone might pose a challenge for some to decipher.
Certain poems resonate deeply, a testament to the author’s ability to precisely articulate emotions. However, others may come across as mere linguistic play. That said, the beauty of poetry is in its subjectivity. While single or duo-line verses aren’t universally loved, the collection has a magnetic pull that beckons revisiting, especially during moments of nostalgia.
I was particularly moved by the poem, “I could live in New York for a few years… But I’ll live in London for a lifetime.” Its eloquence, combined with a tranquil yet passionate tone, was arresting. Though the occasional brevity of single or double-lined poems slightly disrupts the collection’s flow, the anthology overall resonates deeply, forging a connection between the reader and the poet.
Evoking memories of my own early lyrical writings imbued with love, longing, and hope, the author ensures these universal themes shine through. It serves as a poignant reminder of the timeless power of words to evoke, resonate, and transport.
Pages: 87 | ASIN : B0BVBW5XRT
Because it Touches the Soul
“Highlights both the skill and depth of a maturing poet” – The US Review of Books
“A wonderful poetry collection that will delight readers” – The Columbia Review
Author Interview with Lyman Ditson, author of Please Don’t Ask.
Please Don’t Ask is a collection of 51 poems covering a wide range of topics. Dog Nap is my favorite poem. What is your favorite poem in the collection, and why?
Bracelet. Because it touches the soul. It makes us deal with the inevitability of death. I remember the moment that held so much contrast between my mother’s innocent happiness at getting a bracelet and my sadness that she didn’t understand the meaning of the bracelet.
Some poems cover mundane things, like dogs taking up too much room on the bed, while other poems such as Dear Brother, are beautiful and seem deeply personal. Was there any inspiration pulled from real life that you put into your poems?
Yes. Pretty much all of the poems were either about my experience or were pulled out from my spiritual experiences. Some were just silly such as Frog Heaven.
I liked this collection because I could grasp the meaning of the poems, but they were still complex enough to keep me thinking about them after they were done. Do you have a specific style that you like to write in?
I don’t know if I have a favorite style. I love having diversity of style. Most poetry books from one poet use pretty much the same style and it doesn’t seem as alive after a while of reading as when different styles and subjects are used.
Here is a poem from Lyman Ditson.
Yet
Yet still I wait,
the calling distractions
impale me,
yet
I recall the whisper
of grace
and
yet still I wait
Please Don’t Ask is an eclectic mix of spiritual and secular poetry written by Lyman Ditson. You will find inspirational as well as comical work in this book. Do not be surprised by the occasional critique of situations that are happening in the world today. Two poems, Cricketland and Adobe Land will seem very familiar to those who know Austin, Texas, and Santa Fe, New Mexico. The inspiration for these poems comes from not only a deep commitment spiritually but also an awareness of how day-to-day life can be affected by things outside of our understanding. “Please Don’t Ask” is enjoyable both as a casual read but will also be of interest to students of life in general. “Please Don’t Ask” is suitable for readers of all ages and all students of life.
Please Don’t Ask
Please Don’t Ask by Lyman Ditson is a collection of poetry. There are fifty-one poems in the collection covering a wide range of topics and eliciting emotions of all kinds from the reader. The book opens with the title poem please don’t ask. It sets the tone for this collection, one of sarcasm and dry wit. It makes it clear this is not a book of love poems, or Shakespeare. This is not the book for someone looking for romantic rhyming verses with perfect meter or even following any standard poetic mechanisms. Instead, Ditson uses freeform prose, punctuation and line breaks to convey a deep message in each poem.
Some of the poems are light hearted such as dog nap, a playful take on the frustration of how such a small creature can take up the whole bed when they refuse to move. This is something all animal owners are well aware of. Than there are poems like the general. This piece speaks of war. One of the longer poems in the collection, it goes into great detail talking about the meaninglessness and pain that war causes, that it is not by God’s direction, and not some grand event to run quick into. Instead the author shows the pain, the meaningless loss of life and just the drudgery that is there, not glory.
Ditson has the ability to cover topics well that are mundane and those that are deep. He questions God’s will in many of the poems and those that are devote believers might take offense to some of his tone. Than there are poems such as Dear Brother, that are beautiful and deeply personal. Speaking of the everlasting relationship between brothers that will extend even beyond death. The poem frog heaven gives the reader a look into the world of what might be. It makes the reader stop and think of life in a new perspective, not all things that look bad to start are in the end. The author challenges the reader to think further than the moment and see the whole picture, not just in them, but of the world. Trying to feel truly strikes at the heart of some of todays problems in the world, the inattentiveness we have for those around us as we divulge deeper and deeper into the electronic world. The collection ends with several poems dealing with the end of things, death, end of a season of life, and a message that we are all smaller than we think we are in this world.
Over all Lyman Ditson’s collection of poetry is a good read. It brings forth an emotional response from the reader, as all good poetry should. I enjoyed the lack of whimsical prose and the more sarcastic realist views. The collection brings you face to face with many of the modern issues we are living with right now. It does not shy away from the topics that people do not want to think about. Thought provoking and meaningful poetry, a collection that can bring the reader in and leave them thinking about the subjects well after the cover is closed.
Pages: 140 | ISBN: 1504350324
LITERARY TITAN 