Poetry

You Need More Than Dreams

Tolu' A. Akinyemi (The Roaring Lion Newcastle)

| Reviewed by Sarah Harkness

Tolu’ A. Akinyemi’s poetry collection, You Need More Than Dreams, is a poignant and incisive exploration of youth, identity, and the pursuit of dreams. Akinyemi offers a collection that resonates with raw emotion, sharp observations, and a clear message: dreams alone are insufficient; action, grit, and self-awareness are essential to success. This collection is crafted for young audiences and features two parts. Part 1 dives deep into the experiences of young people. “Best of My Youth” sets the stage, reflecting on a life of emotional extremes...

Architects of a Cleaner F...

Tolu' A. Akinyemi (The Roaring Lion Newcastle (June 23, 2023))

| Reviewed by John Grossman

Tolu' A. Akinyemi's Architects of a Cleaner Financial System delivers a fascinating and often unsettling exploration of the intersection between the seemingly dry world of financial regulation and the vibrant, nuanced landscape of personal experience. The collection boldly addresses anti-money laundering and compliance, weaving technical jargon and industry-specific concerns with potent poetic imagery. This unconventional approach offers a unique and insightful commentary on the ethical implications of the financial system. The collection's ope...

On The Train To Hell

Tolu' A. Akinyemi (The Roaring Lion Newcastle)

| Reviewed by Bertin Drizller

 In On the Train to Hell, Tolu A. Akinyemi delivers a collection that is as gorgeous as it is exquisite, expertly exploring grief, loss, and existential despair. The collection features fifty-three poems, most of which treat very dark themes and are infused with pathos and compelling imagery. From the outset, Akinyemi's lyrical utterances and rich imagery draw readers into a visceral exploration of universally resonating issues. The poet castigates beliefs that lead to violence and terrorism, revealing a haunted psyche struggling with the...

Listening to Miles Davis...

Greg Stidham (Silver Bow Publishing)

| Reviewed by Matthew Novak

Greg Stidham’s Listening to Miles Davis and Gil Evans on a Saturday Night is a lyrical exploration of life through the lens of nature, grief, sociopolitical reflections, and personal anecdotes. The gorgeous poetry collection pulsates with a richness that resonates like the jazz compositions of the legends it references. Stidham’s poetry, interwoven with vivid imagery and profound insights, captures intimate and universally relatable moments. The title poem sets the tone for this poetic utterance as it evokes a serene imagery of quiet contemplat...

Dying of Lassitude and En...

Phil Fletcher-Stokes (Independently Published)

| Reviewed by Sarah Harkness

Phil Fletcher-Stokes’ Dying of Lassitude and Ennui is a candid exploration of the manifold frustrations and ironies that punctuate the twilight years of life delivered in a unique poetic voice. Though the book may appear heavy with personal lament, it sparkles with a piercing humor that offers readers both introspection and entertainment. Through loosely connected essays and poetic utterances, Fletcher-Stokes employs various stylistic devices, particularly wit and satire, to reflect on aging, isolation, and the human condition. The book's struc...

Bold & Chosen

Lillie Diaz (Atmosphere Press (December 10, 2024))

| Reviewed by John Grossman

Bold & Chosen by Lillie Diaz is a deeply moving collection of poetry, stories, and personal essays that explore themes of faith, perseverance, identity, and redemption. Diaz's work is imbued with raw honesty and authenticity, which makes it compelling and relatable to readers who have struggled with similar struggles in their own lives—the themes of the book center around spiritual awakening and the transformative power of faith. The author’s dedication to her Father and the reflection on her relationship with God are the bedrock of the ent...

I Believe, and Jesus Know...

P.S. Glyckherr (Atmosphere Press)

| Reviewed by Meg McKinnon

P.S. Glyckherr's poetry collection, I Believe, and Jesus Knows! resonates deeply with themes of faith, love, hope, and the profound connections among family and friends. This collection offers a heartfelt tribute, particularly to the author's daughters and future generations, weaving threads of personal experience with universal truths. The poems reflect a rich canvas of emotions, highlighting the beauty in life's fleeting moments, the struggles of personal loss, and the healing power of love and faith. Glyckherr's work delivers vivid imagery a...

Echoes Lost in Stars: Poe...

PS Conway (Literary Revelations)

| Reviewed by Cristina Prescott

PS Conway’s exquisite poetry collection Echoes Lost in Stars delivers a transcendent journey through a constellation of themes, prominently highlighting love, loss, and existential reflection. Each section—Sun, Sun (light), Star (light), and Stars—invites the reader to contemplate the intricate back-and-forth between the celestial world and human emotion, akin to the works of John Keats. One of the most compelling aspects of Conway's work is his expert use of vivid imagery and symbolism that lends depth to the reader's experience. For instance,...

Echoes Lost in Stars: Poe...

PS Conway (Literary Revelations)

| Reviewed by Elena Enger

Echoes Lost in Stars by PS Conway is a poetic journey that explores the human experience through its connections with nature, mythology, and love. The poetry collection is imbued with captivating imagery that appeals to the senses and insightful lines illuminating readers' imaginations. This profound, powerful, and extensive collection of poems is uncannily precise and beautifully tuned. It is also direct and infused with metaphorical language, giving it a universal appeal. The imagery is striking, exciting readers in unspeakable ways. In ''Ear...

Echoes Lost in Stars: Poe...

PS Conway (Literary Revelations)

| Reviewed by Matthew Novak

Echoes Lost in Stars by PS Conway is an exceptional collection of poetry that beautifully illustrates how the author’s mind works, featuring streams of emotions, bursts of insights, and experiences that underline the speaker’s humanity. Elegant, profound, and utterly captivating, these poems of varying lengths and styles examine different themes — the love for nature, loneliness, and solitude, love and loss, humanity and the beauty of human encounters, and much more. Conway’s diction is deceptively simple, but the thoughts are profound, and a m...

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