A note: As a child, I always had stuffed animals. I never slept without them. I never thought about anything bad while holding one and they helped me to feel safe. I know that this poem is sad, but it is in essence a hopeful one. Those bad situations come to an end and there is always hope for bright spots in the future. Christmas to me is about hope and from that this poem was born.
Thank you all for reading! Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below!
Cover Rating: 4/10 it’s simple and fits the title, but it’s not something that really stands out. It’s not something that would really attract my attention in a book store.
Publisher: Book Baby
Publish Date: June 1st, 2019
Number of Pages: 86
Received: Netgalley provided an e-arc in exchange for an honest review
The Voice of My Mind, by author T. A. Fish, is an avant-garde poetry collection that took over 5 years to complete. Each poem is beautifully crafted with great virtuosity, that haunts with extreme depth and wonder. The collection deals with themes of grief, love, spiritual enlightenment, and philosophy. From beginning to end, the poems read in a mesmerizing and captivating style, expertly flowing from one theme to the next.
Opening Poem:
Treasure
The pyre of life Is a great treasure chest;
Pouring out All, Of the world’s best.
The fruit of men Is like a deep well;
To find the bottom Time will tell.
The love of God Is like a great vista view;
Endless in boundaries And beauty too.
The hate of the world Is an abominable snow;
Blinding in rage Of what it ought not know.
The knowledge of life Is knowing what is to gain;
Searching all truth And seeking in vain.
Musings:
I think one of the main issues with this collection is how much the same it is. The rhythms are all the same and it’s like reading one long redundant poem and no one wants that.
However, the reason why I rated this 3 stars is because there was 2 poems that I really did enjoy, but even those have the same redundant rhythm and I wish it didn’t.
I will share the one I liked the most with all of you:
Grim
The madness creeping deep within,
The lifeless body of a man named grim;
As a heartless beat quakes the thin,
Revenant who died and rose again.
Writhing and crawling with nary a shin,
Carrying a devilish smile,
disguised as a grin,
His twinkling eyes,
protrude through the dim,
Haze of blackness that encompass his skin.
Seeing a doppelganger claiming his twin,
The unrepentant soul of abhorrent sin,
Seeking to devour his spirited kin;
Dragging his corpse into the depths therein.
Screaming his last, from the pit, of the dungeon,
Never a fate so great and grim,
La fin.
I like this one because it was darker and it made me think of Halloween and creepiness. But, even re-reading it I don’t feel like it has a lasting impression.
Mostly, I just wanted there to be variety in the tone. It’s like the words no longer matter because there was no variety in the beat. It’s like the poetry is trying to be grander then it actually is. It’s not even that the poems themselves are bad. I feel like it’s all trying too hard.
All in all:
This collection had a lot of potential it never tapped into. It had some good topics and some good lines, but it fell lacking to redundancy. It’s a run of the mill poetry collection. Not terrible, but not great. Which is why I gave it the rating I did.
About the Author:
T. A. Fish is a Christian author, who spent over 5 years crafting the deep, provocative, and thought-provoking poetry collection The Voice of My Mind. “The Voice of My Mind is a journey of the human spirit; one that dives into the deepest and darkest crevices of the human mind, and then reaches for the heights of spiritual enlightenment and redemption. ” – T. A. Fish
Thank you all for reading! Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below!
Today is the day I finally began my own business venture! I am officially the owner of The Book Raven Poetry!
What it’s all about: The Book Raven Poetry is a personalized poetry business where you receive a poem about whatever you want! It can be about a person, a holiday, an idea, a place, anything at all! For only $8 bucks you will receive a completely customized poem on a unique background to digitally download to keep for yourself or give as a gift to a friend or family member!
An Example:
A one of a kind poem is available for purchase now on Etsy!
The Dream: So many of you have been with me from the very start. So it won’t be a surprise to most of you that I’m creating a business from my love of poetry. I’ve written many poems on this site. It would be my pleasure to write poems for all of you. Be it silly, sweet, an anniversary gift, something for your friends to enjoy. It feels incredible that I could create something along side other individuals that is totally unique and personalized to them. Something to make you smile.
A note of thanks: Thank you all for being there for me. This would have never come about without this blog nor the support of all of you. I can’t wait to write some great poetry for all of you!
Thank you all for reading! Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below!
We strive and strive to the standards that will always be moved one block above our heads unreachable
Let me say that again unreachable
Because the hands create the blocks and pile them up higher and higher
The video game buzzes “Ok”, “meh”, “perfect”
We climb and climb this ever growing mountain
And dig ourselves a hole of depression and anxiety piled up in our insecurity and worthlessness
We think perfection is the answer to love and all that’s holy, but the truth is we will never get there and acceptance
Well that’s the clarity
When you start to heal the expectation of being anything other then who you are
in every moment of bitterness
you cut the bindings
Suddenly your body is a masterpiece
Suddenly your happiness is within reach
Suddenly your not chasing your creating
Suddenly your not afraid of the societal definition of who you should be
Perfection is spoon fed into the mouths of all our children
Perfection is yelled into 4th grade track teams and football wannabes
Perfection is sewn into the fabric of our literal clothing
But, wouldn’t you be surprised to hear the places that make a profit from the defects
You see nothing you do is worthless
Especially not because that something was a mishap
We all make mistakes, thousands every day
So let’s stop kidding ourselves
Let’s give who we are some kindness
It’s ok. You are ok.
Let’s clean out all the madness
Peace is found in letting go of who we think we need to be
All the thoughts that cause you suffering don’t need to suffocate the joyful laughter that lives inside your ever passionate heart
Dust away those thoughts so you can create a reality of celebrating true humanity
Perfection doesn’t exist and it never did
So stop hurting
Thank you all for reading! Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below! I wrote this poem on a whim like a majority of my poetry. It’s an idea I’ve been thinking about a lot. I hope you enjoyed!
When the sand falls away slipping through open fingers simply flip the scale and the sands start anew racing towards a destiny in the reverse direction.
Be like the child for the child doesn’t have care for what was or what is they take joy in their confusion and delight in each morsel of knowledge that comes their way.
Be like the mother who loves and does not count the child’s mishaps for in her eyes she sees only the love and in that purity nothing else matters.
Be like the air that flows and sustains life, it transforms endlessly and does not fear the change as it comes.
Be like the heart that loves without eyes for it knows the truth of where it’s home lies.
Do what you will in life, for life lives for itself and then it dies. No one knows the truth of death, but the truth of life is nothing and everything matters so be at peace and follow the call of your own beating pulse.
One sees the sun and one sees a star both are right. Peace is when they accept the understanding of another’s perception.
Trying to be perfect is like trying to alchemize gold from dirt, physically impossible and yet the magic of it calls the truest hearts. To let go of perfection is to free the spirt and only then will the best of you shine unencumbered.
The world stops turning for no one. It’s peaceful in its round face. Peace is being unaffected by chaos. Staying grounded in spite of the earths shakes.
Thanks for reading! This is a short bit of poetry. I was thinking of things that help me feel more at peace with myself and what is and this is what came out. Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below.
I bet the lot of you didn’t expect me to keep this going after not doing one of these in months, but once I make a promise to do something I keep it. I’m getting through this challenge.. one way or another.
On to the books!
Memorable Books that Start with the Letter “M”:
Magic with Skin On
“In her much-anticipated debut poetry collection, Morgan Nikola-Wren has woven her signature romantic grit through a stunning, modern-day fairy tale. Chronicling the relationship between a lonely artist and her absent–albeit abusive–muse, Magic with Skin On will gently break you, then put you back together again.”
This was a magical poetry collection. It was really fun to read and had some beautiful and unique poems. I was so happy for the chance to read it!
Milk and Honey
“Rupi Kaur’s milk and honey, is a New York Times bestselling collection of poetry and prose about survival, the experience of violence, abuse, love, loss, and femininity.
The book is divided into four chapters, and each chapter serves a different purpose. Deals with a different pain. Heals a different heartache. milk and honey takes listeners through a journey of the most bitter moments in life and finds sweetness in them—because there is sweetness everywhere if you are just willing to look.”
The highly popular Milk and Honey is another really great poetry collection. I enjoyed the artistic nature of it most.
Books I’d Love to Read Starting with the Letter “M”:
Missing, Presumed Dead
“When eighteen-year-old Lexi foresees the brutal murder of a young woman outside a club in downtown L.A., she is powerless to stop it.
But then the girl’s ghost appears, seeking vengeance, and Lexi is swept into a dangerous search that could put her directly in the path of a serial killer. From the author of Devils Unto Dust, this fast-paced and literary thriller will haunt fans of Maureen Johnson’s Truly Devious and Karen M. McManus’s One of Us Is Lying.
With a touch, Lexi can sense how and when someone will die. Some say it’s a gift. But to Lexi it’s a curse—one that keeps her friendless and alone. All that changes when Lexi foresees the violent death of a young woman, Jane, outside a club.
Jane doesn’t go to the afterlife quietly. Her ghost remains behind, determined to hunt down her murderer, and she needs Lexi’s help. In life, Jane was everything Lexi is not—outgoing, happy, popular. But in death, all Jane wants is revenge.
Lexi will do anything to help Jane, to make up for the fact that she didn’t—couldn’t—save Jane’s life, and to keep this beautiful ghost of a girl by her side for as long as possible.
Emma Berquist’s second novel is a haunting and atmospheric murder mystery that tackles themes of depression, loneliness, love, and identity. This high-concept novel is for fans of Holly Black’s The Coldest Girl in Coldtown and Tahereh Mafi’s Shatter Me series.”
Paranormal criminal investigation? Count me in!
Meat Market
“Jana Novak’s history sounds like a classic model cliché: tall and gangly, she’s uncomfortable with her androgynous looks until she’s unexpectedly scouted and catapulted to superstardom.
But the fashion industry is as grimy as it is glamorous. And there are unexpected predators at every turn.
Jana is an ordinary girl from a south London estate, lifted to unimaginable heights. But the further you rise, the more devastating your fall …
Honest and raw, this is a timely exposé of the dark underbelly of the fashion industry in an era of #TimesUp and #MeToo. It might just be Juno Dawson’s most important book yet.
‘Juno Dawson slashes through the glamour of the fashion industry … combining blockbuster appeal with piercing commentary on modelling, body image and consent’ Observer”
Honestly in this for the cover… but the story itself sounds so unique and unlike anything I’ve read before.
Thanks for reading! Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below.
There was a time in my life where something small could become something heart-wrenching. Where fear ruled and took control. I feel it’s reign ending and the smoke clearing. I feel peace and hope once again knocking on my door. The beginnings of a whole new world are at my doorstep. The pain is being washed away. The anxiety is being washed away. The fear is being cut loose and I am the one standing in its wake a victor. I needed the hurt to rise above it. I needed the rest to be the foundation of my awakening. I feel good. I feel powerful. I am free. What an amazing feeling it is to finally feel good as me. The best is yet to come. There is something good to find in the every moment. I am the master of me. I am the creator of my world. I can’t wait to see what comes next. I can’t wait to show the world the stardust I’m made of. I can’t wait to see what I create. It’s going to be glorious. It’s going to be a life I am proud of. It’s going to be beautiful.
Thanks for reading! This is just a little late night poem to share an awesome breakthrough I’ve had. Things can only go up from here. I hope things are going well for all of you reading. Everyone deserves to feel this good.
We’ll spend our nights dreaming of the home we’d build together
Smiling about the sweet music we’d made during the day
We’d laugh and dance through life together
Saying a thousand words with just one look
I can’t wait for the day you put your hand in mine
I can’t wait for the day I laugh with you
I can’t wait for the day I’d whisper in your ear and see you smile with the knowing that every single day I’d take pleasure in choosing you
Tell then, I have mountains to climb, and oceans to cross
Stars to build across my soul
But every lesson, every tick of the clock, brings me closer to the day I finally get to hold you
So for now find peace and be happy
Do what’s right for you
I’ll be working hard and dancing on my own
Till the time comes for me to create a whole new world when I’m with you
One day we’ll stand face to face at the alter
Surrounded by all of those we love
There will be peace and joy and happiness
A new beginning creating one from the two of us
I know it’ll be years before we get there
But oh how sweet it is to dream
Will you dream along with me?
Thanks for reading! I don’t know why, but at the moment I’m feeling really optimistic about the future. Imagining scenarios for what could be has brought me no small measure of peace. One of my greatest desires for my life has been to be with someone I can share my time on this earth with. I don’t know the when or how of it, but I know one day this all will come to be and that’s something to feel good about.
The Book Raven 