Poetry
Eye Halve a Spelling Checker
Blackberry Eating
Blackberry Eating
By Gallway Kinnell
Artist Jessica Mulholland
“I love to go out in late September
among the fat, overripe, icy, black blackberries
to eat blackberries for breakfast,
the stalks very prickly, a penalty
they earn for knowing the black art
of blackberry-making; and as I stand among them
lifting the stalks to my mouth, the ripest berries
fall almost unbidden to my tongue,
as words sometimes do, certain peculiar words
like strengths or squinched,
many-lettered, one-syllabled lumps,
which I squeeze, squinch open, and splurge well
in the silent, startled, icy, black language
of blackberry — eating in late September.”
Book Review: Life, A Bit More? by Andrew Tomas Elder
Andrew is a guy who had to relearn life as a double amputee at nineteen years of age. He hopes to inspire the reader with topics he has written, topics that we have all experienced and can gratefully relate to.
Every one of us is handicapped in one way or another. The topics Andrew writes about are through his handicapable point of view. This really is good food for thought, and we could all use some good news today!
Besides good news, our faith, intestinal fortitude, and elbow grease are examined. We’re all in this boat together, and hopefully we work together in meeting our common goals. Helping ourselves first, then our brothers, and by doing this, we help HIM!
Knowing we were able to help anyone makes us feel good for a good deed done. And that much more on a spiritual realm, yet humble realm. He helps us with our needs and more, and we can feel that growth within us!
My Review
I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.
This collection is not your traditional poetry but it’s more like bits of a memoir with philosophical thoughts and full of inspiration.
Andrew was pedestrian who was hit by a drunk driver 35 years ago and is now a double amputee. He has had a hard road as you can imagine, but he hasn’t let it stop him. It is apparent through his poetry that he is grateful to be able to write and play the piano. He has learned how to play the piano with one hand and it sounds like he’s playing with two!
I like that there is a page between each poem for the reader to write notes. How many times have you read an inspirational book and wanted to make a note? There’s the margin to write in if it’s a paperback to which many of us have an aversion, or you have to stop to find pen and paper before you lose the thought.
Of course, I liked some of the poems more than others. One that I liked:
Death and Time
How much time do I have before the ultimate reality?
Only His divine plan will tell.
Am I ready?
I like to think so, but there is so much more to be done.
Will I leave some kind of good contribution for others to ponder?
I hope so, and think I have a fair start as I learn.
Will you be ready?
I pray so
If you’re looking for some inspiration that’s a little different with an interesting author, you can’t go wrong with Life, A Bit More?
About the Author
Andrew is a regular guy who had to relearn life as a double amputee at
nineteen years of age! He hopes to inspire you with topics that he has, and
he is learning about life and a bit more.
The Face of Fall
Fuzzy, You are Underfoot!
Fuzzy, you are underfoot!
You’re never still, you won’t stay put,
you twirl and try to catch your tail,
and never notice that you fail.
You clamber up and down the stairs,
depositing unsightly hairs,
and when it’s time to go outside,
you scamper off and try to hide.
Fuzzy, though you understand,
you never follow my command,
I tell you “Sit!” I tell you “Stay!”
You lick my face and run away.
I buy you bones, and yet you choose
to gnaw the chair, to chew my shoes,
I would not mind a dog like that,
but you’re peculiar for a cat.
From Something BIG Has Been Here by Jack Prelutsky
