Pictures in Verse

Pictures in Verse: Frances Redmond

Poetry is subjective to the individual interpretation of the reader. Each person takes away his or her own special definitions, meaning and understanding of what the poet is trying to convey. Messages are definitely transmitted through each stanza whether the poems rhyme or are blank verse. The poems within this collection send out different messages whether the author takes on a journey to different places, events or defines a specific word. Pictures in Verse is unique in that author Frances Redmond provides several illustrations at the end of the book which help readers better understand several of the poems and see if you the reader pictured the event, incident or place in your own mind. As you read each poem close your eyes and visualize and form mental image of what the author is saying.

To Be Precise: defined as being marked by exactness and accuracy of expression or detail according to the dictionary. The poem asks many questions such as: Can honesty live behind closed doors? Are good and evil forever entwined? Is eternity reality far away? Wouldn’t it be nice if the answers were Precise! Think about it.

Legal Tender talks about the value of a dollar and how far it can go. As you read this poem you will understand just what a dollar can be used for, how it can be spent and if you are not sure after reading the poem check out the illustration at the end of the book that will help clarify it even further. The value of dollar changes of fluctuates as the poet states. But, what would we do without it? As he states the dollar cannot choose its owner or who is serves. Tips for a paperboy, change made, a purchase at Liquor Store and without that precious one-dollar bill how would you buy some gum, candy or even at one time two tickets to the RKO. A saying that sets the stage precedes each poem or picture for what the author relates in his poem. Fountain of Youth is one of my favorites ad the author talks about star travelers, there laughing darting eyes flashing over and back on cosmic tides, I quote. You are never too old to appreciate the “ riches of children’s gold.

Vanity is defined as: excessive pride in or admiration of one’s own appearance or achievements. We are all vain in some respects. Some are considered genius. Others might have a magnetic pull to some awhile some you might withdraw from. A person can closed off and journey within himself/herself and guarded at times to keep themselves within their own realm of thought and feelings.

Individuality being that you are and not following the traits of others. I love that he states that goals are sometimes not met and that man the struggle is the art but not to compromise before you start. “The goals you set many save its light.” Stand by your convictions and follow your own path. Poems about places, live, inspiration, realities, the world and even love fill the pages of this rare collection. The author defines words in his own way such as Gratitude and follows with a poem that hits home about losing someone you love.

Losing a loved one is difficult and expressing your feelings not always easy as the author pens When We Lose Someone We Love. The poem relates how we feel that we are younger, when things happen in life that we cannot control that make us sad, but the last stanza says it all and I will leave that to you the reader. Over the Graves continues this theme as the author relates whether it is him or someone else walking through a cemetery and looking at the stones, thinking about those that are there and the many reasons why we have a hard time saying goodbye.

They say a picture speaks a thousand words as you go to the end of the book and look at the illustration that the author shares about the poem Rendezvous and see if you can picture the beach, the warm water, the sand and the boy staring out into space on a chair with an umbrella over him thinking about the past and the people gone by. Thinking of friends that he knew, times that he enjoyed and names he cannot even remember. It is revisiting his life through his memories. Next take a look at the picture the author shares for the poem C’est L’Amour and picture the two figures in black as if they are traveling time and space as one looks at the other while the other looks in a different direction each one with their own thoughts and each one drifting through their special fantasies. As the author titles the picture: L’Amour. The poems are unique unto themselves and there are other pictures that he shares within this collection. I really enjoyed reading As We Gaze Out to the Stars, which focuses on how we are people find out about our many selves or personalities. What would happen is we had to go beyond the Earth to live? What would happen if there were other galaxies that we could explore? What would happen if things changed? Could be do it or not? A great poem to get everyone thinking about the future, the past and how we can all work together to live anywhere in peace and in harmony. Great poem, great collection and interesting subjects to keep the reader guessing, interested and wondering where the author will explore next.

Fran Lewis: Just reviews/MJ Magazine