The Wilderness Within (Book) - 5/23/2004 6:07:18 AM
LOVELY WORK
There is something for everyone in The Wilderness Within. Writer/Poet Spring says ‘they just keep coming, these poems. Places, friends, family, animals, birds, fish, flowers, stones, lakes, rivers, and the unseen world enter these poems in unexpected ways.’ Poet Spring’s love of nature flows to the reader as these poems and essays are enjoyed. Accomplished, piercing, words to enrapture, and thrill are offered as poet Spring draws upon adventures of life to give rise to an opus of lovely work. Family life, life lessons, enlightenment communicate to the heart of the reader in agreeable and measurable manner. Readers will be sure to be transformed in a very tangible way while reading the words offered by this perceptive, straightforward woman whose observable zeal is to share her life with others.
FULL REVIEW THIS SITE: http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewarticle.asp?id=14102
The Wilderness Within (Book) - 7/6/2003 9:26:41 AM
As a child I loved poetry. As an adult, one of my favorite possessions is a 1921 edition of Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass. I also possess several other collector copies of 19th century poets. It is said that the earliest forms of poetic expression induced the very unfolding of communication and language itself.
When I started reading The Wilderness Within written by Barbara Spring, I was not expecting to fall in love with this little gem of a book and savor it poem by poem. Ms. Spring considers the mystery of the world in her poems sharing impulses of curiosity along with the complexity of nature, life and death. Her poems are in privileged alignment with the living and breathing spirit. She possesses the poetic eye for passing flecks of details while bearing witness to her vast travels and experiences. Several stories and pictures flank some of the poems.
The stories offer trip details to the Copper Canyon and the Galapogos Islands while the pictures add additional stimulation for the mind. I read this book three times before writing this review trying to find my favorite poem. I simply couldn’t decide on one favorite. Each poem has its own unique spiritual and intellectual wandering to it. Poems such as “Bedtime Story”, “Bloodroot Bearings”, “The Green Man’s Secret” and “The Entryway” all bear witness to the author’s yearnings and passions about life.
This book offers up a number of delicious poems. It is a true fascinating delight, elegant in style and profound in feeling. “The Wilderness Within” is a tempting glimpse of the moves of a first rate talent and I look forward to reading more from Ms. Spring.
Sherry Russell
The Wilderness Within (Book) - 7/6/2003 9:20:25 AM
You don’t have to read too far into Barbara Spring’s poetry collection, “The Wilderness Within”, to see the common theme that threads through her poetic vision. Nature has always been a powerful inspiration to poets and there is an exceptional understanding and love of the natural world expressed in these poems and essays.
I have always believed that one of the best ways to identify a formidable poet is their use of strong words, powerful words. No fear of such words here: battering and beat, both words of considerable power appear in the first poem, Bear Woman. Strong words bring strong images and it becomes possible to see into Barbara’s vision of nature that is loving without being sugar coated. She sees the reality, the threats that face this world she loves so much. Don’t mistake me, these are not protest poems, there is no didacticism here, but works of appreciation and understanding that repay careful reading.
Visual images are also strong in Barbara’s work and there are poems here that come alive because of the addition of form to words – Ruby Throat is a fine example in the early pages of the book.
There are occasional departures from the natural world, The Library at Alexandria carries echoes of Robert Bly and is dedicated to him. It is an exceptional poem even among this collection of consistently fine work.
Spring is a poet worth getting to know. She sees a world we all know and expresses it eloquently: “I am Earth, red sun and yellow flower” from Meditation and yet there is also mystery here, she inhabits the spirit of the natural world:
From Bonesounds
Of my jointed finger bones
string wind chimes
so breezes may click them
outside your bedroom window.
This is a consistent collection, though, of course, there are variations within a volume of this length. Nevertheless, those I would have excluded are few and none jar the senses by being downright bad.
Overall, this is an impressive work. The poet lays her visions bare and we come away the richer for that.
Warthog at the Boma (Short Story) - 2/21/2004 10:37:48 AM
you need to make the picture smaller; otherwise, you have covered up a good chunk of this article!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in tx., karen lynn. :)
would have loved to read this story, but the picture covers up at least half of it!
Wind in the Tower (Short Story) - 6/21/2002 7:04:57 AM
Good story, Barbara!Sounds like a happy childhood.
In Touch with the World through the WWW (Article) - 11/20/2004 2:42:12 PM
It seems you have found a writing niche that will keep you busy from now on. I am a convert to not only the Great Lakes, but also the ecosystems around them, including the smaller lakes. I have some postings on AD in this regard. My poem, "Oh, Canada" and my articles on "Heaven In An Alder Swamp" speak to that enchanting world.
All the best as you continue your great works for the Great Lakes.
Best regards,
Leland
Playing Around the Great Lakes (Article) - 5/3/2004 4:16:42 PM
the great lakes: a delightful place to be, for sure! i remember going to cedar point numerous times as a child, then a teen, and then an adult, and i also remember going to cleveland and also to detroit on numerous occasions! thanks for jogging my memory; i miss ohio, and i miss the great lakes!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in tx., karen lynn. :(
wonderful write!
A Sea Full of Surprises (Article) - 9/24/2003 1:56:17 PM
Excellent article. Still remember when I saw my first whale. Well done.
How Many April Greens (Article) - 4/28/2003 11:14:43 AM
Excellent! Residing in Michigan myself, I too know just how delightful Spring is upon her arrival. I use to live in Grand Haven about 9 years ago. What a lovely place it is! Thanks for sharing!
Bright Star (Poetry) - 10/10/2009 8:26:48 PM
Barbara,
Perhaps a bit of child male chauvinism, but it was for the best. The little girls learned of peace, not war. This was beautifully written and reminds one of their own childhood.
Mary
Seasons of Life (Poetry) - 7/13/2009 4:00:42 PM
GREAT WRITE...PHRASES AND IMAGERY PRESENT AN UNIQUE DEPICTION OF THE FOUR SEASONS. THANKS FOR SHARING AND BLESSINGS.
JOYCE * HIS INSPIRATIONS
Affinity for the Sea (Poetry) - 7/12/2009 5:13:00 PM
When the sun sets scarlet
And the moon rises gold
The sea sparkles silver
And sings a sleepy song
I titled this "Sailors' Lullaby." Your verses reminded me of it as did the feelings that were awakened through them. Thank you for sharing this gift, Barbara. Love and best wishes,
Regis
Lost Bracelets (Poetry) - 7/12/2009 5:10:56 PM
Am I longing for the times
Before highways, high rises, when
The waters ran clear and cold?
Do I long for a time
I never knew?
Sometimes I do, Barbara. I find your verses thought-inciting. Thank you. Love and peace,
Regis
Seasons of Life (Poetry) - 7/12/2009 10:11:12 AM
A wonderful portrayal of life, Barbara. Thank you for sharing your perspective. Love and blessings,
Regis
Lost Bracelets (Poetry) - 5/22/2009 11:41:24 AM
Great poem,very well written,take care
EDWIN
Haiku (Poetry) - 1/29/2009 5:24:14 PM
http://lyricalpassionpoetry.page.tl
FYI
Eagle Markings (Poetry) - 1/14/2009 11:04:25 AM
Excellent poem,very well written.take care
Edwin
Eagle Markings (Poetry) - 1/13/2009 5:22:49 PM
Nature at her best and life in existence even during the foraging of the winter months...
Be always safe,
Karen
Affinity for the Sea (Poetry) - 1/13/2009 3:42:04 AM
This is very good,take care
Edwin
Great Lakes Imprint In Us (Poetry) - 1/13/2009 3:41:03 AM
I enjoy reading this poem.It feels like I am already there.This is beautiful,take care
Edwin
Great Lakes Imprint In Us (Poetry) - 1/12/2009 2:14:03 PM
Each one with its own special beauty to ignite the imagination...
Be always safe,
Karen
Great Lakes Imprint In Us (Poetry) - 1/12/2009 10:26:23 AM
Barbara,
Personally, I've never been to the Great Lakes, but you make is sound so inviting!
Mary
Great Lakes Imprint In Us (Poetry) - 1/12/2009 6:58:11 AM
Thank you for bringing me to such a lovely place. Warmth to you, Carin'
Now We Never Speak (Poetry) - 3/2/2008 9:01:03 PM
...light humorous thoughts...give way to well penned creativity in your write...Barbara
John
Now We Never Speak (Poetry) - 3/2/2008 2:57:55 PM
now see...these different perspectives and angles of thought are exactly what make the world go round. Great job, thanks for broadening my horizons in such a fun way.
be well and happy,
Kathy
Now We Never Speak (Poetry) - 3/2/2008 2:21:22 PM
This is an interesting poem, Barbara. I used to fish, quite a bit, and I am guilty of talking to the fish. (I've seen the experts on the fishing shows do it too, so I know I'm not alone in the insanity of the moment)
I've always wondered what was going through the fish's mind, whether it feels dumb for taking "doctored" food. Maybe I simply have too much time.
Thanks for this cute poem.
Jill
Lake Michigan Ice (Poetry) - 12/29/2007 12:24:29 AM
How endearing and beautiful this is, nicely done...
Be safe,
Karen
Lake Michigan Ice (Poetry) - 12/28/2007 7:35:29 PM
The imagery that you provide makes me feel like I am there. A cup of chocolate, my husband, a delightful walk and life coundn't get any better.
God bless you. Kathy
Lake Michigan Ice (Poetry) - 12/28/2007 5:29:56 PM
You capture the frozen heart of Lake Michigan in winter in engaging, rhyming lines: well done!
(((HUGS))) and love, and Happy New Year, Karla.
Being from Ohio originally, the title drew me in. Glad I stopped in. :)
Divine Child (Poetry) - 9/3/2007 7:00:35 AM
Wow, this is powerful, thanks for sharing your poetic talents.
God Bless You and Your Loved Ones
Semi-Precious (Poetry) - 8/13/2007 7:14:16 PM
Short, sweet and very adorable...
Be safe,
Karen
Outdoors Man (Poetry) - 5/7/2007 3:59:20 PM
Barbara, I think you and other readers who selected this poem to review may well enjoy two of my den offerings: "You and Me" and "Yours and Mine." For the full treatment, be sure and click on the music. I mean, if it's worth doing, it's...
And, of course, I clicked on Outdoors Man because that's my thing, even though I made the mistake of buying into a career that kept me in a windowless room for decades.
I love outdoors secrets!
Richard
P.S.
What's with Andy Turner (below)? Is he retired military? You know, name, rank and serial number only. He runs a tight ship.
Question (Poetry) - 5/7/2007 3:45:43 PM
The tragedy of life is that you can't deliver them, Barbara.
But with your background, I think you've already discovered that.
Unmarried, teenaged pregnancies, high-speed joyriding in a "stolen" car that kills two as it ends its chase... There's an endless list that bright boys and girls get involved in.
But, of course, we all were perfect, weren't we, even while we trudged through knee-deep snow to get to school where we earned straight A's.
Life is an adventure, and we all seem bent on finding our own way.
Some of us make it and some of us don't.
But we love our younger generation, so we have to try.
Me thinks I see your classroom frustration showing, Barbara.
"Question" is a thoughtful, insightful, caring poem. And you saved the punch line for the end: The Wilderness Within.
Richard
Danger (Poetry) - 4/3/2007 3:56:57 PM
I could see the waters and hear the lonely cry of the fog horn off in the distance. Just love the water, always found it so mysterious, beautiful write.
Be safe,
Karen
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