I would feel remiss to not post a book review of a poetry collection during National Poetry Month, so that gave me the perfect excuse to read Denise Baer’s collection Sipping a Mix of Verse. Denise deftly writes poetry as well as prose. I first encountered her work by reading and reviewing her psychological thriller Net Switch. From there, I quickly gravitated toward her blog, and can now count her among my online friends.
What strikes me the most about the poems in this collection are how accessible they are to everyday readers, and yet how expertly the poet manages to pull-off verse that gets better with each reading. The title of the collection is indeed fitting because these are poems worth savoring. A topical arrangement makes for an enjoyable reading ramble, as do the photos here and there from Denise’s travels.
Poetry should sing with emotion and ideas, and Denise Bear manages to marry those two skills eloquently. As a fellow poetry lover (and sometime poet) I would have liked her to include short blurbs that point out the poetic from each selection takes, but that is a minor wish from someone like myself who feels more inspired to write poetry since reading Denise’s collection as well as the poems she has been posting regularly this month on her blog.
While many of the poems are uplifting, funny, and reflective, some are also darkly probing, honest, yet also hopeful. Such is the subject matter of most literature I find myself drawn to. A few of my favorites included “DAsh,” “Bucket List,” and “Failure.” Could it be that when I read many of these poems I feel like I am looking at thought patterns which echo my own?
I will leave you with the final stanza from her poem “Bucket List.”
-Forgive Myself-
Essential part of life in order to progress
to next stage. Must let go of past offenses
so energy taken up by such regret can be
applied to strengths.
Forgiving gives opportunity for healing
from past—looking forward to the future.
Liberated for achievement—guilt washed away
after years of love
You can connect with Denise and her various social media accounts via her blog Skipping Stones Memories.
What items would be on your bucket list poem? In what ways has poetry crept into your life during National Poetry Month?
For more insight, read my Book Review Criteria. Image Credit: Wine Glass Splash by Greenbay. Please share responsibly. Jeri Walker, 2013.
The only poetry in my life comes from other people, and of course music. Nice to meet someone new! 🙂
Cheryl, I’m glad to have introduced you to Denise. She’s an all-around talented writer.
Nice to meet you, Geek Girl.
You have been my inspiration for really thinking about poetry and giving it a try. I love the simplicity of phrase and the way it hits a cord when read. I hope to do more.
Denise sounds like a poet I would enjoy. I will be meandering over to check out her work.
Susan, I think you will really enjoy Denise’s blog. She’s been posting many poems for National Poetry Month.
Thanks for stopping by, Susan. I finally found your blog and love your wine post. I’ve added you to my blog list. 🙂
As it goes with all of her poems, I really like this one. I tend to gravitate to her darker work most of the time (it suits me more) but there are more flavors in a meal than dark rich flavors. Denise creates a full meal for our souls.
Jon, I also seem to be more drawn to the darker poems, but you said it best: “Denise creates a full meal for our souls.” Indeed.
Aw, Jon, I love how you describe my writing as a full meal. That is so nice of you to say….and I tend to gravitate to darker work.
For me, poetry is a natural extension of the heart. It is my perception of stimuli that I find difficult to process.
Aleshia, I highly encourage you to check out Denise’s blog and other writers. She’s a perceptive soul you would feel immediately drawn to.
Jeri,
I have always loved poetry and in highchool wrote several poems. I was even chosen to be published once. It was truly an inspiring experience. I love learning about new poets to read. Thank you for giving me a new one to read.
Elizabeth, I know you’ll enjoy Denise’s poetry whether it be via her book or her blog. You might also want to check out the Favorite Poem Project website as well where videos are posted of American’s saying their favorite poems.
Thank you so much, Jeri. What an honor to have another blog post on your blog of my work. I truly appreciate it. You’ve really pulled me into the world of social media, and I thank you for it, because I’ve met some wonderful people.
Denise, I’m so glad to hear you’ve enjoyed getting to know some of my bloggin’ peeps! At times, I’m amazed how many people I’ve met since I started my blog and foray into the world of social media. And to think I came to know of you through a discussion thread post on LinkedIn.
Right now my bucket list poem would have to include being heard – or in my case read, and understood. I am always surrounded by poetry because I am always listening and writing about music. However, I am currently reading some works of Gwendolyn Brooks, fantastic writer and poet.
Edward, I love Gwendolyn Brooks. I really like the recording of her on Poets.org talking about her reaction to always being asked to read “We Real Cool.” My students were always so surprised at the rhythm she gave so short lines.
For some reason I have never been into poetry.
At university they tried to interest me in Alfred Lord Tennyson and others but failed.
Must admit Shakespeare is not my cup of tea either. But then again, his contemporaries were not impressed either. If he had been launched today he would have been compared to bestseller writers because that’s how he writing was regarded:-) Odd, isn’t it.
Catarina, I can definitely see where you’re coming from. I only started to get interested in poetry when I delved into contemporary poetry. That and falling in love with Bob Dylan’s poetic song lyrics certainly helped pique my interest and ready me to better appreciate the classics.
What a beautiful poem, and I love your description of this collection. Seems like just the kind of poetry I would love that speaks to everyone because each one has a different tone and feel. Might have to pick this one up!
Kelly, I hope you do consider Denise’s collection of poems. She also posts poetry quite often on her blog.
It’s always good to read some poetry to expand your brain and get you thinking. Just because you are out of school doesn’t mean you can still read great works!
Shaun, poetry does provide great brain exercise, not only reading it, but also when it comes to writing it. When I do sit down to tackle composing a new poem, I like to pick different forms to try like sestinas or pantoums, which is probably why I like Denise’s work so much as she tends to do the same.
Jeri, thanks for the introduction to Denise’s work and the reminders on the beauty of poetry. You may save my poor literary soul yet.
Debra, that’s me… saving the world one poor literary soul at a time. Thanks for stopping by.
I love poets.org Gwendolyn Brooks topic! She is absolutely one of my favorites but top of my list is Nikki Giovanni, I can’t get enough of her. As for my bucket list, I want to spend a month in a European country, somewhat off the grid, drinking wine, writing and being 100% self absorbed.
Stephanie, I love Gwendolyn Brooks as well! I’m all for spending a month in a European country… Our poet Denise if lucky that way. She’s living in Germany right now 😉
Great to hear Denise is a poet as well as a novelist. Really like the poem you leave us with, as it is very accessible and yet mixes the distilled nature of poetry with simply the words that matter. Have enjoyed your poetry month blogs Jeri.
As to my bucket list- forgiveness is a good one, and truly living in the moment. If you are doing both then it doesn’t matter what you’re doing. I’d love to go kayaking though…
A.K., I’m all for living in the moment too, but my brain likes to forever get in the way of that. As for other bucket list items, I’ve always wanted to try Karaoke 😉 Glad you liked my poetry month blogs. Look for an actual poem written by me next Monday…