Reflections on pens in silver flight. (image of The Bridge of Angels in Rome)
The act of writing itself is much like the construction of a mirror made of words. Looking at certain illuminated corners of or cracks within the mirror, the author can see fragments of an objective reality that comprise the physical universe, social communities, political dynamics, and other facets of human existence. Looking in certain other corners of the same mirror, he or she may experience glimpses of a True Self sheltered deftly behind a mask of public proprieties. Every now and then between sentences and paragraphs an unexpected revelation will shine through, like a candle suddenly lighting itself without the benefit of a match and you meet a forgotten part of yourself as if for the first time.
The act of reviewing books or shorter works by another author can also be described as the construction of a mirror––but this one designed to reflect insights regarding the subject author’s literary labors and intentions. For that same subject author, the experience of seeing oneself in a mirror created, polished, and made truthful by someone else can be both thrilling and terrifying. That at least is what I felt when I learned that British novelist Rosy Cole had reviewed The Bridge of Silver Wings on Red Room. Having for some time admired both her poetry and prose blogs, as well as the fact that she had published several novels (including A House Not Made with Hands and The Wolf and the Lamb) I was aware of her gifts for critical analysis, lyrical phraseology, and spiritual and conceptual depth.
Upon reading Cole’s review, I was more stunned than either terrified or thrilled because, like many who endeavor to complete a challenging work of literature, I did not fully realize the inspired creative distance traveled to reach the last page until another described the end results from their perspective. The candle of realization lit itself anew. And much of what I previously glimpsed “through a glass darkly,” while writing The Bridge of Silver Wings, became clear in a new and wonderful way.
To read Rosy Cole’s “Circles and Arcs,” and explore other works by the author, please click here: Circles and Arcs
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