Tuesday 23 September 2008

The world where I live, I think more people should read poetry

I know I am reposting this. But for the reason, the world should read more of poetry. And also Andrew needs to be read.

Title: Tangled in Wisteria

Author: J. Andrew Lockhart
ISBN: 978-1-60247-852-7
Publisher: Tate Publishing & Enterprises/2007
Pages: 108

J. Andrew Lockhart is blogger poet. He lives in Van Buren, Arkansas, United States. He writes Haiku, Senryu, Haiga, Haibun and Tanka. He was kind enough to send me his book Tangled in Wisteria, which contains haiku, senryu and tanka. I have been reading him for some time now, on his blog.

Andrew was an attorney when tragedy struck. In 1996 he had an intracerebral hemorragic stroke at the age of 30. He rose out of it all and became a music teacher. In his introduction, he writes that music and writing were sidelined and he went to law school.

He came back to writing. Reading his verses one can observe the beauty of nature, find greatness in mundane things and see love in a new light. Those short verses of his are loaded with so much meaning. You can see them in simplicity or the complexities....whatever way you choose to. Those contain nuggets about life and much more.

Here I quote a few of his verses:

"looking up
at the oak tree, planted
when i was young-----
there is no need
for a mirror"
~~~~~~~~~~~~
"although you are
so far away from me
i feel your presence
in the cool summer night
as flowers rest"
~~~~~~~~~~~~
"buying a pack
of firerackers
made in china"
~~~~~~~~~~~~
"brick after brick
after brick after brick---
hidden thoughts"
~~~~~~~~~~~~

This book has four parts----spring, summer, autumn and winter. I read it at one go. But I am going to come back again and again. Each page contains a haiku or a senryu and a tanka. Those verses touch the soul and illuminate it. I am very glad I read it and also that I read him everyday on his blog. Please do check him out. You won't be disappointed.

12 comments:

  1. I read Andrews blog His poetry is always very meaningful! The world would be a better place if more people read poetry.

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  2. Well, I certainly wouldn't be at home without plenty to read.

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  3. I've jumped over to his blog a few times, having read his comments here and on Pat's blog--thanks for telling us more about this poet.

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  4. Thanks for the tip, I will explore his writing some more.

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  5. Any home I live in has to have a lot of books. I have to have them.

    I'm not big on poetry, but there is some I like. :)

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  6. Lovely... will go check him out.. I especially like his life story!! Interesting

    I dream

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  7. thankyou for providing the iformation it has given me another must read..:))

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  8. Nice post! I bookmarked Andrew's blog after reading a few pages - he is good! Thanks!

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  9. Thank you for sharing I would like to check some of his poetry. Is his writing as good as yours.

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