Although living on opposite sides of the world, simultaneous events occurred for Barbara Elizabeth Mercer and me in 2009 - musicians composed music to our poetry and we both started presenting our poetry.

Barbara knows the beauty of speaking her melodic poetry to music, as well as she knows how to transform her poetry into radiant paintings. Rooted in Cabbagetown is a poetry book bursting with a literary essence that sings the music of life to its readers.

If you’re a lover of poetry who appreciates the colourful, musical hues of real life, then this book is for you! Via a myriad of enchanting entertainment and heartfelt contemplations, embedded wonderfully and wildly within 100 fascinating pages, Rooted in Cabbagetown offers readers an alluring journey.

Being a writer of poetry myself, I found myself mesmerised by Barbara’s tantalising poems, drinking in each line and vision with reverence to her refined style for penning a rhyme. More brilliant than simply a series of rhymes, Barbara’s poems provide insight into such things as the mind of a Robin, the mystical display of autumn leaves, the ballet of seagulls, the moon and the stars, and the birth of spring. Barbara portrays unforgettable events and adventures – ‘compliments divine’ - with family and friends, as well as sharing, in exciting detail, an autumn annual Cabbagetown festival, surprise concerts, and the distinguished, well-earned occasion of Barbara’s launch party, propelling her justly to ‘stand up and be counted’.

Bearing the acuity of a mystic, Barbara observes the human plight, humanity’s striving within our shared journey of unravelling meaning in our lives, to come, as she eloquently states in Celtic Knot, to the ‘metaphysical centre of revelation’, trying to find our footing ‘in the envisioned final tapestry’. Barbara explores the micro world through the molecular structure of our DNA and expands this to encompass considerations that imbue our soul’s longing for confirmation; for the ‘the mystical combination’ to unify ‘in pleasing formation’; to search and discover ‘self-similarity in creating a kinder – gentler – human being worth believing – preserving – deserving’. The ink pouring through Barbara’s pen as she scribes these words flows indelibly from a mind rooted with heart to the altruistic world of love.

Barbara’s prolific capability to express her love through poetry reaches us, sparkling through each word, vibrantly powerful. Every poem evokes feelings that permeate life on so many levels. Summer Solstice is a prayer for the trees that hold our scarred earth together, cleaning our air, giving us shelter, and mystery… an appeal ‘to return our love for them’, ‘whispering our wishes, for their beauty, for their protection, for a purer – peaceful world’. Miracle Day, Rooted in Cabbagetown and so many others convey Barbara’s grace and humility; deeply grateful for recognition of her contribution to society, for her non-judgemental friends, and for her new home, where she is ‘accepted in a place – with creative space to thrive’.

Within these pages, Barbara acknowledges the eternity in moments, the now being forever. The moment is alive with love, sharing and laughter, communicating with nature, and instilling significance into elements such as a tree dropping a nut to please her in This Forever Moment. Forever playful, Barbara’s outlook on life, her appreciation for being welcomed and acknowledged as she reconsiders her resting place ‘when the destined time comes’, is liberated from the worldly fear of not having her affairs in order, ‘grateful for the wonder and joy of THIS FOREVER MOMENT’. Our spirits grow and glow absorbing Barbara’s poetry as we become ageless and eternal, enlightened to the truth of now…

We have Ageless experience
Which we are told
We can share with others

Always open to messages from the top of her terrace umbrella where she lives, her sanctuary in the sky above treetops, Barbara observes the workings of nature with keen perception. She contemplates the lessons she should glean from such beautiful scenes and then shares them with the world through splendid verse. ‘Living at the apex of her lighthouse’ offers her precious thoughts to her many friends in nature, in her life, and to us reading these pages. Her heart and mind are as open as the sky.

Barbara humbly questions whether or not she has found a voice in one of her many poems within Rooted in Cabbagetown. The answer is revealed decisively upon reading line after line of her extraordinary creations. Barbara’s voice rings so clearly, delivering her essence so directly to the soul of the reader that one may imagine she is performing each poem directly to you, accompanied by a musician divining an exquisite musical piece, to send to your heart even more profoundly. I can certainly visualise that and can appreciate the expanded beauty she has given her poems by complementing them with music. Barbara expresses her divine voice in so many ways that is a blessing to take her into your heart, and gain a soul friend.

Suzie Palmer
Author of Loving All and Prosperity Rat

Australia
* Australia’s No 1 Best Selling author Bryce Courtenay acclaimed Suzie Palmer as a writer in 2005 and commissioned artwork to accompany one of her works.