Poetry



    Poet: Charles Dowling Williams
    ISBN: 9781737639534

    Upon delving into award-winning Kentucky native Charles D. Williams’ recent Haiku collection, Visible Magic, I was immediately captivated by his remarkable ability to distill the intricacies of human experience and the natural world into concise words, evoking moments of profound reflection and connection.



    Williams takes us on a captivating journey through all four seasons, skillfully crafting Haiku that serve as vivid snapshots of the changing tapestry of nature. 

    Drawing inspiration from decades of farm journal entries, his keen observations and profound reverence for the natural world shine through in each poem. Beyond mere description, his verses interweave the elements of farm life, the changing landscape, and the interconnectedness of nature. 

    For those unfamiliar with Haiku, it is a traditional Japanese poetry form celebrated for its brevity and simplicity. Its charm lies in its capacity to encapsulate a moment or evoke a feeling with a few words. 

    Haiku comes from a kind of Buddhism called Zen, which likes being in the present moment and finding beauty in ordinary things. Additionally, the poems explore universal themes such as impermanence and the cyclical nature of life. These broader concepts make haikus resonate with individuals across diverse cultures, fostering a connection through shared emotions and experiences. 

    The poems are concise, just three lines with a certain number of syllables in each line. This brevity makes Haiku writers focus on the most critical parts of their thoughts. It often talks about nature and the seasons, using words that show the time of year. 

    For example, if we refer to Williams’ opening of his collection, “Summer,” we notice the vivid snapshot of the season.

    first dawn of summer-

    basso profundo choice

    old buildings singing

    sleepy summer rain

    hillside of ox-eye daisies

    a Buddha napping."

    With a classic 5-7-5 syllable structure, the poem beautifully captures the first dawn of summer, old buildings singing with nostalgia, sleepy summer rain, a hillside adorned with ox-eye daisies, and a tranquil scene of a Buddha napping. The brevity enhances the impact, promising readers a collection that reflects on the simplicity and beauty of summer, weaving together rich sensory details and moments of reflection.

    The beauty of Haiku and Williams’ poems is that although brief, they make you feel deep emotions and reflect. Using simple words and pictures lets your imagination see different things in the verse.

    Another example from Williams’ collection is the following: 

    last day of winter-

    viewing my neighbor’s spring lambs

    their ears twitch sideways.”

    Here, he captures the essence of transition and the cyclical nature of seasons, from winter to spring. He begins on the “last day of winter” by observing “spring lambs” in a neighbor’s surroundings. Williams adds a vivid touch by mentioning the lambs’ ears twitching sideways, making the scene more alive for readers. In addition, there is also a subtle sense of community as he focuses on the neighbor’s lambs, suggesting a shared appreciation for nature. 

    The tone shifts positively, signaling renewal and hope with the arrival of spring. Williams’ simplicity of language and imagery invites readers to reflect on the beauty of nature’s cycles and shared experiences within a community. 

    The poem is undoubtedly open to interpretation, allowing readers to bring their own emotions and experiences to the poem. 

    In the 28 September 2022 entry we have a great example of how a short poem can express deep feelings. It discusses a specific day four months later, describing eight lively puppies and comparing their barking to a joyful “Hallelujah Chorus.” This Haiku shows how poetry can capture the happiness of memorable moments, even in a few words. It’s a simple and beautiful illustration of how language can convey the magic of fleeting experiences. 

    eight big pups barking

    their Hallelujah Chorus-

    the sound of blessings.”

    These are only a few examples of William’s Haikus, each serving as poetic snapshots that skillfully distill moments of nature, transition, and joy into concise and evocative verses. Through the simplicity of language and vivid imagery, these haikus capture the beauty of fleeting experiences and invite readers to reflect, fostering a shared appreciation for the profound emotions woven into the tapestry of everyday life. 

    Williams’ concise poems stir profound emotions and provide contemplative moments, rendering Visible Magic essential for anyone eager to delve into the captivating influence of Haiku and its exploration of universal themes. Grab a copy of Visible Magic and submerge yourself in short powerful moments where a few lines of verse capture deep feelings and the beauty of life. It's like taking a quiet break from the noise, finding pictures and emotions painted with simple words that stay with you.

    Follow Here To Read Norm's Interview With Charles Dowling Williams








    Author: Charles Dowling Williams

    Publisher: WEST WIND BOOKS

    ISBN-10 ‏ ‎173763952 ISBN-13 ‎ 978-1737639527



    Author:Jessica Jones

    Publisher: Jessica Jones
    ISBN-10: 1094878642; ISBN-13: 978-1094878645





    Editors:Martha Collins and Kevin Prufer
    Publisher: Graywolf Press
    ISBN: 978-1-55597-792-4


    Author: Myronn Hardy

    Publisher: Princeton University Press

    ISBN: 978-0-691-17710-6



    Author: Miller Oberman

    Publisher: Princeton University Press

    ISBN: 978-0-691-17683-3


    Author: Arleen Watson

    Publisher: Soul Attitude Press
    ISBN: 978-1-939181-79-4





    Author: Janet Cameron Hoult
    Publisher: Outskirts Press
    ISBN:
    978-1-4787-5033-8



    Author: Cynthia Tyler
    Publisher: CreateSpace
    ISBN: 978 149 615 1445

    Author: Preston McWhorter

    Publisher: Xlibris

    ISBN: 978-1-4836-9214-2


    Author: Austin Smith

    Publisher: Princeton University Press

    ISBN-13: 978-0-691-15919-5





    Author: Gavin Harrison
    ISBN: 978-0-9891998-2-7



    Author:  Preston McWhorter
    Publisher: Outskirts Press
    ISBN-10: 1478705: ISBN-13: 978-1478705901





    Artist: Terri Conrad
    Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
    ISBN: 978-0-7369-4965-1



    Editor: Mary Anneeta Mann

    Publisher: Author House

    ISBN: 978-1-4490-9009-8



    Author: Harold Augenbraum

    Publisher: A Penguin Classics Original

    ISBN:  978-0-14-310690-6


    Author: Douglas More

    Publisher: Broken Turtle Books


    ISBN: 978-0-9788451-4-8

    Author: George Rhoades

    Publisher: Outskirts Press

    ISBN: 978-1-4327-8499-7



    Editor-in-Chief: Greene, Roland

    General Editor: Stephen Cushman

    Associate Editors: Clare Cavanagh; Jahan Ramazani; Paul Rouzer

    Publisher: Princeton University Press

    ISBN-13: 978-0-691-13334-8


    Poet: Steve Ausherman

    Publisher: Encircle Publications

    ISBN: 13: 978-1-893035-15-7: 10: 1-893035-15-8



    Roldand Greene, Editor in Chief, Cushman, Stephen, General Editor,

    Publisher: Princeton, N.J, Princeton University Press, 2012,


    ISBN:  13-9780691154916

    Authors: WritersAnonymous TM

    Editor: Grant Trenton Gardner

    Illustrators: Darren Buchanan and Kathleen Whipple

    ISBN: 978-0-615-69271-1



    Author: Erik Hansen

    Publisher: Outskirts Press

    ISBN: 978-1-4327-8696-0


    It’s still poetry month, which got me thinking about how most of us were first introduced to poetry – it could have been Mother Goose rhymes or Dr. Suess. But perhaps the real rite of passage into poetry came when we were in grammar school and had to memorize a poem. It’s still a wonderful idea even as we get older



    Author: A.E. Housman    
    Publisher: Naxos AudioBooks   
    ISBN: 978-184-379-490-5



    Author: Richard Langdon Cook
    Publisher: Peppertree Press
    ISBN: 978-1-936343-63-8
     





    Author: William Blake
    Edited, and with an Introduction by: Dr. John Diamond
    Publisher: Creativity Publishing  
    ISBN: 1-890995-03-7

    Author: Joyce White

    Series: Sculpting the Heart Series, 4th Edition 

    Publisher: Lulu.com

    ISBN: 978-0-557-22371-8

    White’s poems, which are all in free verse, should appeal to all those who are responsive to both the visual and written forms of artistic expression. Inspirational and accessible, her poems should uplift your spirit and might even encourage you to start on your own personal exploration of the creative potential within you


    Author: Nicole Grace

    ISBN: 0-9747852-3-7

    Publisher: Mani Press

    Reading Nicole Grace's Bodhisattva: How To Be Free: Teachings to Guide You Home proved to be quite an intuitive experience



    Author:  Aimee Bender

    ISBN:  978-0-385-50112-5

    The writing is truly superb.  The author pulls you in to the story and you find yourself thinking back on the choices that you’ve made throughout your life. 

     


    Authors: Tristan Tzara, Rainer Maria Rilke, Jean-Pierre Duprey, and Habib Tengour
    Translated by Pierre Joris
    Publisher: Inconundrum Press
    ISBN: 0-9679859-0-0

    A remarkable group of translated writings comprises 4x1, meaning four poets, one translator.


    Author:  Michele Heeney
    ISBN: 978-0-578-02218-5
    Publisher:  Todd Black Books

    This book represents a lifetime of poetry.  The poems are of simple pleasures of life, a touch of the harsh realities that come with living and growing and a dose of loneliness that we all feel at one time or another in our lives


    Editor: John Wareham. New York:
    Publisher:Welcome Rain Publishers
    ISBN 10: 1-56649-959-3: ISBN 12: 978-1-56649-959-0.


    Love, Life and Lust in Double Spread


    Author: Pat Mora
    ISBN:  978-0-375-84375-4

    Read and enjoy!  This is definitely one that will become a permanent fixture on your bookshelf.



    Author: S. A. Alenthony
    ISBN: 978-0-9819678-9-9
    Publishers: Blackburnian Press

    The book is highly recommended to all readers. Those interested in the religious and philosophical ideas will appreciate the wit and scything humor of the tale.



    Author: Kendal Finley Privette.
    Publisher: lulu.com
    ISBN-10: 0557083532;
    ISBN-13: 978-0557083534

    A Journal Of Recovery, in Free Verse Form



    Author: Diana M. Raab
    ISBN: 10: 1935514393   13: 978-1935514398

    The Guilt Gene is a quick one-sitting read -- which raises the question, should a book of poetry be a quick one-sitting read?


    Author:  Pamela August Russell
    ISBN:  978-1-4027-6787-6

    Author: James Mirarchi
    ISBN: 978-0-557-08431-9

    Dervish is a collection of poetry and a single one-act play. According to the back cover it “spins from one theme to another with the energy of an eccentric dance” and so it does





    Author: Tom & Tess Hannah
    ISBN: 978-1-4327-1610-3
    Publisher: Outskirts Press



    Author: Sherry Quann Lee
    Publisher: Modern History Press
    ISBN: 978-1-932690-63-7

    The thin line between life and death is the subject of Sherry Quann Lee’s poetry book How to Write a Suicide Note (Modern History Press, 2008).




    Title: An Insomniac’s Dream

    Author's Name: Kelly Moran

    ISBN: 1413773443

    Publisher's Name: Publish America

    Kelly Moran’s An Insomniac’s Dream (Publish America, December 2005) is just the kind of book that matches its title throughout its content and style – a half-dreamy mode of story-telling, one which makes you question the meaning of the word ‘real’. A collection of 30 poems and 7 short stories, the book explores the paranormal phenomena by palpable characters in the stories and a number of uneasy feelings in the poetry.


    No popular authors found.

    Most Popular Reviews & Interviews

    No popular articles found.