A wonderful collection of thought provoking verse
920535
Deepak Chaswal has a smooth poetic voice that make his words flow across the page. Meeting Christ and other poems is a very insightful book which was a pleasure to read.
4699926
Here is a treasury of poems regarding a wide range of reflections and experiences, written over the course of several decades, reflecting this talented poets lifetime of meditations on moving moments.  Theyll touch and affect you as well.  Creatively organized by the names of hurricanes, each of which - as the opening quotation asserts - bears its own personality, the readers journey unfolds alphabetically, as the poems present themselves according to the orderly naming convention of those unique storms themselves.  Among my own favorites are Always, Never, Again, Kindling, Lincoln Center Reflecting Pool, and Reality.  Though all are affecting, with over 100 poignant entries you certainly will find those that speak specially to you.
1982045
Though written with the bottom 1% in mind, this poetry collection has a broad enough assortment of topics that could resonate with every reader. This collection touches on current and historical political issues, seamlessly woven together throughout the book. This is further emphasized by Kanieckis powerful writing style that echoes his thoughts, opinions and soul into each work.

The author has mastered the art of rhyming couplets that maintain a decent flow and an almost lyrical quality throughout each stanza. Many of the lines stuck around long after I read them. This style choice is why I give the collection 4 stars, though, as there is simply not enough variety for my own personal tastes. That being said, this expressive quality works exceptionally well for several of the collections stronger poems and unifies the entire book under one unique voice.

I highly recommend this poetry collection. This author has a gift of a writing style -a genuineness- that will stick with you long after you are finished reading.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for writing a review. I am not obligated to give a positive review, and all thoughts are my own.
480659
A beautifully written collection of thought-provoking, smile-inducing poetry.  Jared Posey's writing is wonderfully imaginative, joyfully creative, and has a unique flavor all its own!  His words paint the beauty of this amazing planet we call home, while also opening our hearts to some of the many ways our home is crying out for our help and compassion.  A wonderful book to keep on your nightstand for a daily dose of insight and inspiration.
823806
To me poetry can be seen as rather personal to the poet and the intended meanings that come from deep within the poet's heart and soul are not always clear to me, but I have to say I enjoyed (and understood) many of these storoems and poems in this collection. In fact, Poetic Musings of an Old, Fat Man was an enjoyable, stimulating read. Gilleland's simple, forthright style is part of this poet's charm. This doesn't mean it lacks depth, far from it, the subjects he writes about are all things I can relate to, people, emotions, relationships, animals and disasters for example, which brought a whole range of emotions to the surface, from happy to sad. At the bottom of a couple of poems are brief explanations to what inspired him, which is a nice touch. I have to say I do have a preference for rhyming poems, storoems, limericks and acrostic poems, but for those who like free-verse, he has written those as well, and with over 80 poems there is plenty to chose from. All in all I was pleasantly surprised with this collection, and I am enjoying being able to pick this book up and reread various poems at my leisure. In addition, this book has also won the Readers Views 2009 Reviewers Choice Award. Other books by this author include, Poetry for the Common Man, Gilleland Poetry, Bob the Dragon Slayer (prose) and White Lightening Road (prose).
1882595
At first glance, Tsung's collection is just good poetry: simple, seething, passionate, and entirely enjoyable. Williamss illustrations help to both complement and complicate whats going on on the physical page, and help to further center the aesthetic in the readers mind. Always harkening back to the title, Tsung interrogates gender, affect, being, time, and identity, and, upon rereading, I see Tsung's poems fitting masterfully into contemporary poetry. The images and topics she deploys bubble up from a long literary tradition, tracing the personal onto the philosophical and political, exploring questions that plague someone devoted to the task of healing, of becoming soft, of becoming human. The vulnerability of the I is commendable and does nothing short of engulfing the reader into a text that delightfully borders between the quotidian and the lyric. This is a must-read over and over again in one sitting kind of a chapbook.
1358366
Every once in a while, a collection of verse is written that has a universal metre -- a purity and simplicity that transcends cultures and speaks to everyone, regardless of nationality, sex, creed, or any other differentiator. Only This by Fawn Moran is just such a work.

She imparts inspiration in many of poems, such as in "The Summons:"

"Heed without hesitation / All That Is invites / Your participation./ But don't look back. / The future you dream of / Isn't behind you."

In "Rise," the message is also uplifting:

"The deeper you go / The higher you will rise. / But don't be fooled. / There's much to apprise. / Pain, sorrow, fear, turmoil / Keep you at bay. / Face them before it's too late. / A life-changing breakthrough is on its way. / The love you're made of / Will take their place."

On the subject of love, in "Take a Chance:"

"Love won't betray you / Or leave you in the dust. / Claim the courage you've denied -  / Too broken to take a risk / Too angry to try, / Too fearful of failure - / You wouldn't take a chance. / Courage leads to hidden treasure. / Invite the one who loves you / To share the adventure."

And, finally, a poem about "Prayer:"

"Prayer isn't about things you want / Or wish to be. / It's your ever present longing / For Divinity."

Five stars for this fine collection of verse, and a heartfelt thanks to the author for committing such sincerity and insight to paper.
3277521
Countless wonders the Earth does contain/ Like anguish, horror and pain.
- Poet to the Poor by John Kaniecki

Poet to the Poor is a collection of poems written for the bottom one percent, or the poor. The poems address topics such as war, hate, death, crime, and slavery, while using experiences from Johns personal life and historical figures and events. Some of the poems are political in a sense because of the nature of the main topics.

Although I don't necessarily agree with every word or poem John wrote, I respect him and his ability to create this collection of poems to express his thoughts and raise awareness for life as the bottom one percent. It takes a brave individual to write and publish content such as this, and his desire to help others and become an advocate for these peoples rights is impressive and deserves attention and respect. The collection as a whole made me question my own personal actions and what else I could potentially be doing to help those around me and make a difference in their lives.

There were several poems that stood out to me including, The Mistress Money, A Bouquet, A Poor Mans Statement, The Universe in Motion, and Clowns. Nothing People was my favorite out of the collection because of the emotion and strong message behind it. It engenders a line of discussion and questioning on the labels of people.

I would definitely recommend others to read Poet of the Poor or at least some poems from the collection. Although you may not connect with or agree with everything included, the material itself produces thought-provoking topics with powerful implications and potential discussions.

DISCLAIMER: I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for writing a review. I was not obligated to give a positive review, and all thoughts are my own.
4206097
I have not read poems on a regular basis in a long while. I believe that the last book of poems that I read was Ted Hughes Birthday Letters. YemiAdesanyas new collection of poems Musings of a Tangled Tongue: Prittle-prattle poems which I have just finished reading,awakened me to what I have been missing through my long absence from poems.

It is difficult not to praise this collection of poems. The poemsare not very technical, there are no forced rhymes. They are beautifully written in plain and accessible language, and the subject of each is easy to relate to.

Musings can be regarded as a long poem in separate sections, recording and/or documenting a series of emotions, thoughts, desires (and some challenges that married women in contemporary Nigeria know). There are revolts and lessons in it.

The book opens with the explosive Here Lies Lust, a poem of desire in which the author contrasts lust and love and concludes that they are both Lies/Not skeletons, not quite/ though both glow china white/When truth strolls past/With Moonlight on his arm and closes with "Kahlo's Picasso", a story of love consummated that nevertheless leaves a tinge of regret which "Adorn the faces of fading garbs/With sticky stains from drying felts/And rusty welts of cupids worn-out darts/Vivid images of this tryst engraved."  These two poems which bookend Musings and both rich in metaphors and imagery, reveal the authors impressive skills.

Some of the poems are personal, like Sleepless Nights in which she mourns the competing the tradeoff and challenges of sharing ones life with another (I know I should be sleeping/But I cant cos someone is snoring), and others rebellious like Loafday, she rebels against the traditional expectations of a wife in a traditional, male-dominated society. I especially like the closing stanza of that poem in which she screams and pleads:

 Today is loafday; I need to rest
 Quit pulling my legs, give it a rest
 I won't bath too, yes, it is that bad
 You see, this rest I need it so bad.

Musings contains a wealth of social commentary as in Love in Designer Threads and Miss Zaras Secret-both commentaries, in my view, on the decadent pursuit of luxury in contemporary Nigeria.  Hallelujah and World of Hypocrites are odes to contemporary Nigerian politics. Other poems like No Kidding and Lessons provide affectionate (Ill scream and wail to right you... Upright and forthright/You must stand), at times humorous but stern descriptions of domestic life. I loved the use of Nigerian English in Mind Mirage (Clean face, dirty mind/You look so good/But smell one kind).

Every Nigeria patriot will love and memorize Thank a Brave Soldier because of whom We are free/because he will gladly die to keep me safe/We live as one, we fight as one/Victory for Nigeria, not a single barrier!

The poems in this collection remind us that Nigeria remains a rich source of inspiration for the creative and artistic among us. Yemi Adesanya has given us a beautiful collection of poems, a collection accessible to all, to lovers of poems and everyday readers alike.  Hers is a fresh voice, a joyful addition to the rich catalogue of Nigerian writers and poets, from whom a lot more is expected in the future.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Musings. There is nothing prittle-prattle in it.  I unreservedly recommend it to all.
1178892
This anthology of poetry has to be one of the greatest anthology I have read in a long time. Its diversity grasps the soul and wakens the mind with its poets and their tender words about mindfulness and life's beauty.

I received this book through NetGalley as a honest review.
4241366
I first encountered this anthology when a friend recommended I page through it and read some of the poems about the complexities of love, sex, and relationships.  The poems in many ways embody that full range of emotions one feels when they feel loved or unloved, sexually satisfied or unsatisfied, or when one lacks introspection and is in search of themselves.  I was pleasantly surprised by the fact that I could relate with many of the beautifully written verses and will definitely come back to it from time to time for inspiration, a laugh, or advice.
2518912
I loved most of these poems - of course some of them spoke to me more than others :) I love the use of imagery, emotion and thoughts in this rich, cohesive collection of poetry. I definitely recommend to all fellow lovers of poetry :) - Jessica Majzner, author of Beyond the Veil
1036926
Wonderfully insightful poetry! A good mix of things to ponder, smile about, get mad about and to reflect on. There is a poem about almost every topic imaginable here--from the heartbreak of being in a wrong relationship to the anger of being judged because of appearance to the current world situation. Her poems show a wonderfully complex woman's daily journey of both survival and rising above just surviving.
3386914
While reading this collection of poems and 'ramblings', I couldn't help but catch myself reflecting on my own ramblings. Several of these poems really spoke to me and made me stop and reflect, while others made me wonder about the events that inspired the words. I hope there will be a second edition in the near future so I can 'ramble' a little more.
1539599
This is a nice eclectic collection of poems from around the world. The poems have been organized into rather unique categories. The book is different from many poetry anthologies in that the poems are diverse and inspiring, and they are arranged in a pleasing nonstandard manner.
847646
is a thought-provoking collection of poems in two parts.  Part I contains poems of observation, humor, things-familiar, homage and reflection (some are amusingly devious).  Part II is a partial recasting and continuation of Harrison's stunning chapbook entitled "An Undertaking"--a very personal journey through great tragedy.

As with Harrison's previous books, his poems are extremely accessible and make one stop and think about life and the influence that we have on one another and our circumstances (and coincidences).  The two seemingly disparate parts of this fine book are brilliantly tied together by the first and last poems, "Incomplete Knowledge" and "The Names of Things".
3280456
I am truly impressed with this author's work. The poems are not the typical sappy love poems. They are thought-provoking and emotion stirring. Whether you have experienced similar circumstances in love, while reading the poems, you can stand in the author's place. Although the title is Lost, and the poems reflect that sentiment, there is an air of hope in each poem. I really enjoyed reading the entire collection and would highly recommend Lost to others.