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Visible Magic Reviewed by Norm Goldman of Bookpleasures.com
- By Norm Goldman
- Published January 13, 2024
- Poetry
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
Echo Ridge Reviewed by Norm Goldman of Bookpleasures.com
- By Norm Goldman
- Published January 21, 2022
- Poetry
Author: Charles Dowling Williams
Publisher: WEST WIND BOOKS
ISBN-10 173763952 ISBN-13 978-1737639527
Fragrant Aunt Nellie and 99 Other Short Poems to Read in the Loo: A Light-hearted Look at Modern Life Reviewed By Lois C. Henderson of Bookpleasures.com
- By Lois C. Henderson
- Published June 11, 2019
- Poetry
Author:Jessica Jones
Into English Reviewed by Wally Wood of Bookpleasures.com
- By Wally Wood
- Published August 26, 2018
- Poetry
Radioactive Starlings: Poems Reviewed By Lois C.Henderson of Bookpleasures.com
- By Lois C. Henderson
- Published January 7, 2018
- Poetry
Author: Myronn Hardy
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 978-0-691-17710-6
The Unstill Ones: Poems Reviewed By Lois C. Henderson of Bookpleasures.com
- By Lois C. Henderson
- Published January 7, 2018
- Poetry
Author: Miller Oberman
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 978-0-691-17683-3
Splinters of Glass: Poetry of a Life Reviewed By Frances Roberts Reilly of Bookpleasures.com
- By Frances Roberts-Reilly
- Published September 7, 2016
- Poetry
Author: Arleen Watson
Publisher: Soul Attitude PressISBN: 978-1-939181-79-4
Body Language Reviewed By Conny Withay of Bookpleasures.com
- By Conny Withay
- Published May 15, 2015
- Poetry
Notes From Under the Covers: Waking With Arthritis Reviewed By June Maffin of Bookpleasures.com
- By June Maffin
- Published December 9, 2014
- Poetry
Seeds of Enlightened Society:Virtues to Nourish Reviewed By Namta Gupta of Bookpleasures.com
- By Namta Gupta
- Published January 1, 2014
- Poetry
Author: Preston McWhorter
Publisher: Xlibris
ISBN: 978-1-4836-9214-2
Almanac: Poems Reviewed By Lois Henderson of Bookpleasures.com
- By Lois C. Henderson
- Published December 1, 2013
- Poetry
Author: Austin Smith
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN-13: 978-0-691-15919-5
Petals and Blood, Stories, Dharma & Poems of Ecstasy, Awakening & Annihilation Reviewed By Sandra Shwayder Sanchez of Bookpleasures.cm
- By Sandra Shwayder Sanchez
- Published October 31, 2013
- Poetry
Songs of Enlightened Society: Poems Expressive of Living in Enlightened Society Reviewed By Namta Gupta of Bookpleasures.com
- By Namta Gupta
- Published August 14, 2013
- Poetry
ISBN-10: 1478705: ISBN-13: 978-1478705901
Friendship Blooms in the Loveliest Places Reviewed By Conny Crisalli of Bookpleasures.com
- By Conny Withay
- Published June 2, 2013
- Poetry
ISBN: 978-0-7369-4965-1
Mentoring Poems: Four Centuries of Selected Poetry Reviewed By Norm Goldman of Bookpleasures.com
- By Norm Goldman
- Published May 3, 2013
- Poetry
Editor: Mary Anneeta Mann
Publisher: Author House
ISBN: 978-1-4490-9009-8
The Collected Poems of Marcel Proust Reviewed By John Cowans of Bookpleasures.com
- By John Cowans
- Published April 2, 2013
- Poetry
Author: Harold Augenbraum
Publisher: A Penguin Classics Original
ISBN: 978-0-14-310690-6
Letters to You and Along the Chisholm Trail Reviewed By John Cowans of Bookpleasures.com
- By John Cowans
- Published February 26, 2013
- Poetry
Author: Douglas Morea
Publisher: Broken Turtle Books
ISBN: 978-0-9788451-4-8
Author: George Rhoades
Publisher: Outskirts Press
ISBN: 978-1-4327-8499-7
The Princeton Encyclopedia of Poetry and Poetics, 4th Edition Reviewed By Lois Henderson of Bookpleasures.com
- By Lois C. Henderson
- Published January 7, 2013
- Poetry
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
Creek Bed Blue Reviewed By Norm Goldman of Bookpleasures.com
- By Norm Goldman
- Published October 15, 2012
- Poetry
Poet: Steve Ausherman
Publisher: Encircle Publications
ISBN: 13: 978-1-893035-15-7: 10: 1-893035-15-8
The Princeton Encyclopedia of Poetry and Poetics, 4th Edition Reviewed By John Cowans of Bookpleasures.com
- By John Cowans
- Published October 12, 2012
- Poetry
Roldand Greene, Editor in
Chief, Cushman, Stephen, General Editor,
Publisher: Princeton, N.J, Princeton
University Press, 2012,
ISBN: 13-9780691154916
Seven at the Sevens: A Collection of Seven-Word Stories, Memoirs and Poems Reviewed By James Broderick of Bookpleasures.com
- By James Broderick Ph.D
- Published June 22, 2012
- Poetry
Authors: WritersAnonymous TM
Editor: Grant Trenton Gardner
Illustrators: Darren Buchanan and Kathleen Whipple
ISBN: 978-0-615-69271-1
Compass: New and Selected Poems Reviewed By John Cowans of Bookpleasures.com
- By John Cowans
- Published June 8, 2012
- Poetry
Author: Erik Hansen
Publisher: Outskirts Press
ISBN: 978-1-4327-8696-0
Memorizing Poetry Contributed To Bookpleasures.com By Nancy Hatch Woodward
- By Nancy Hatch Woodward
- Published April 18, 2012
- Poetry
A Shropshire Lad Reviewed By Lois Henderson of Bookpleasures.com
- By Lois C. Henderson
- Published July 5, 2011
- Poetry
Author: A.E. Housman
Publisher: Naxos AudioBooks
ISBN: 978-184-379-490-5
Richard Langdon Cook's The Bright Side of Life Reviewed By Lois Henderson Of Bookpleasures.com
- By Lois C. Henderson
- Published May 19, 2011
- Poetry
Author: Richard Langdon Cook
Publisher: Peppertree Press
ISBN: 978-1-936343-63-8
William Blake's he Healing Power of Blake – A Distillation Reviewed By Lois Henderson of Bookpleasures.com
- By Lois C. Henderson
- Published March 8, 2011
- Poetry
Edited, and with an Introduction by: Dr. John Diamond
Publisher: Creativity Publishing
ISBN: 1-890995-03-7
Sculpting the Heart’s Poetry While Conversing with the Masters Reviewed By Lois Henderson of Bookpleasures.com
- By Lois C. Henderson
- Published September 7, 2010
- Poetry
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
Bodhisattva: How To Be Free: Teachings to Guide You Home Reviewed By Norm Goldman of Bookpleasures.com
- By Norm Goldman
- Published August 11, 2010
- Poetry , Religion and Spirituality
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
The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake Reviewed By Amy Lignor of Bookpleasures.com
- By Amy Lignor
- Published June 29, 2010
- Poetry
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.
4x1: Works by Tristan Tzara, Rainer Maria Rilke, Jean-Pierre Duprey, and Habib Tengour Reviewed By Christopher Willard of Bookpleasures.com
- By Christopher Willard
- Published May 24, 2010
- GENERAL FICTION REVIEWS , Poetry
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
Sonnets for Sinners: Everything One Needs to Know about Illicit Love Reviewed By Lois Henderson Of Bookpleasures.com
- By Lois C. Henderson
- Published March 15, 2010
- Poetry
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
Dizzy in Your Eyes (Poems About Love) Reviewed By Amy Lignor Of Bookpleasures.com
- By Amy Lignor
- Published January 23, 2010
- Poetry
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.
The Infernova Reviewed By Chris Phillips Of Bookpleasures.com
- By Chris Phillips
- Published January 15, 2010
- Poetry
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.
Full Reviewed By Lois Henderson Of Bookpleasures.com
- By Lois C. Henderson
- Published December 13, 2009
- Poetry
Author: Kendal Finley Privette.
Publisher: lulu.com
ISBN-10:
0557083532;
ISBN-13: 978-0557083534
The Guilt Gene Reviewed By Chrisopher Willard Of Bookpleasures.com
- By Christopher Willard
- Published November 14, 2009
- Poetry
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?
B is for Bad Poetry Reviewed By Amy Lignor Of Bookpleasures.com
- By Amy Lignor
- Published October 24, 2009
- Poetry
Dervish Reviewed By Chris Phillips Of Bookpleasures.com
- By Chris Phillips
- Published October 8, 2009
- Poetry
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
The Endless String: Poems for Children (and the people who read to them) Reviewed By Andrea Coventry Of Bookpleasures.com
- By Andrea Coventry
- Published September 6, 2009
- Poetry , Childrens & Young Adults
Author: Tom & Tess Hannah
ISBN: 978-1-4327-1610-3
Publisher: Outskirts Press
How to Write a Suicide Note Reviewed By Karim Khan (also known as Ernest Dempsey) Of Bookpleasures.com
- By Karim Khan (also known as Ernest Dempsey)
- Published June 15, 2009
- Poetry
Author: Sherry Quann Lee
Publisher: Modern History
Press
ISBN: 978-1-932690-63-7
Review: An Insomniac’s Dream
- By Karim Khan (also known as Ernest Dempsey)
- Published January 1, 2009
- GENERAL FICTION REVIEWS , Poetry
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.