Flashes of Emotion (Book) - 4/10/2015 12:15:02 PM
Fifty-two poems, intellectual and emotional.
-- Jim Bennett for Kindle Book Review
As always, do not let my star count override your own judgement of content. More on the stars, counting, and my rating challenges later. Let me describe some of Sam’s book for you.
As always, google anything you’re not entirely certain of. Sam’s vocabulary is large, as is his geography.
You will find fresh imagery, as in Italian Cemetery, where we find this: "Left ajar, this rusted metal gate, like the heady souls lying beyond, /Would not do obeisance to the wind." You will find social commentary, for example, in Elegy for the Captive, this: "Critics are the brushers of noblemen’s robes."
You will find relationships galore here, for example, In Gestures and Allusions, this: "And therein lies the difference, you see /For without sound the unsound mind is dead /But the sound mind is not deaf /To … //The volumes spoken into a single hug /The dialogue unwrapped in a gaze." After this, in The Eyes of a Beholder, this: "You are smooth /Delicate /Bizarre /And sensual /Like a pretty witch trapped in a suave, evocative work of art."
If you’re looking for a brilliant longer poem, turn to My Last Chance. If you google carefully, you'll find out what Mezza-Selva is. For a complex love poem, turn to Passions and Words.
Those scanning for the tiny carps can give up. An occasional page-break misplaced. Not even a typo. In short, nothing. Back to the good stuff.
If you're looking for a sad love poem, turn to The Greatest Gift. It is autumn in Florence, a repeated refrain that smoothly marches the reader to the gently foreshadowed conclusion. This is a favorite in this collection. If it's social commentary you're looking for, you will find it here.
Prejudice tells us the story of Daisy, who normally flitted through life, accidentally getting onto an all-black train to Harlem.
This should give you some idea of the range of these fifty-two poems. I've mentioned just seven of them.
Back to the star count. Usually this is the hardest part of a review, deciding on a single number. My personal guidelines, when doing an 'official' KBR review, are as follows: five stars means, roughly equal to best in genre. Rarely given. Four stars means, extremely good. Three stars means, definitely recommendable. I am a tough reviewer. Sam’s style may take a bit of getting used to, but that voice produced several favorites in my notes. Five stars it is, and extremely recommended.
-- Kindle Book Review Team member
Flashes of Emotion (Book) - 7/6/2005 5:16:56 AM
Here's wishing you all kinds of success with your lovely book.
This one will be an inspiration to all of your poet and journalist peers, as well as readers of exceptional verse.
For Many Immigrant Girls in Italy, Dreams Die First (Article) - 1/13/2015 10:06:13 AM
I hadn't heard of this unfortunate circumstance before. Human trafficking is one of the worst crimes and it's on the increase, worldwide. It's through articles like this, that the problems are revealed so that solutions can be sought.
Ron
The Wine Writer (Poetry) - 6/29/2012 11:26:25 PM
A very deep writer.
Sad,intriguing read.
Keep up the good work,
augustine sam
The Wine Writer (Poetry) - 2/5/2007 4:59:05 PM
He was influenced by the wrong 'spirits'... and made an unfortunate choice. Very powerful write!
RM Green
Anche Questo è l'Amore (In Italian) (Poetry) - 6/30/2006 12:50:46 PM
Dear Anna, yes I have posted this in English as well. Check the poem titled: This Too Could Be Loved. Many thanks for your comments.
A.S.
Poetry In Motion (Poetry) - 5/8/2006 8:02:16 PM
This is dusky and sensuous, fabulous writing!
Carole
Poetry In Motion (Poetry) - 3/10/2005 8:10:26 AM
Superb write....love n luck...BHUWAN!!!
The Wine Writer (Poetry) - 3/4/2005 8:13:59 PM
hauntingly.....sad
well penned
This Too ... Could Be Love (Poetry) - 2/28/2005 4:38:36 PM
The uniqueness of this is what appealed to me as much as the
thought-provoking questions embedded within the sensually tinctured
lines.
Your other friend in Wisconsin sends good wishes, too.
The Wine Writer (Poetry) - 2/28/2005 4:30:27 PM
See what I mean, Poet Supreme?
You are gaining fans, and there will be a lot more once
your book is out. No one wishes you more success than I.
The Wine Writer (Poetry) - 2/28/2005 11:24:33 AM
what an interesting story/poem...i felt both his pain and the confusion brought on by the grape
The Wine Writer (Poetry) - 2/28/2005 10:11:18 AM
Creative, intriguing and impressive! Thank you, I enjoyed!
The Wine Writer (Poetry) - 2/28/2005 8:01:53 AM
Unique, yes it is.
Also held me to the last.....Indeed.....Good write.
ty, Dani
The Wine Writer (Poetry) - 2/28/2005 7:05:46 AM
A very unique poem.
Why Me? (Poetry) - 2/28/2005 6:03:07 AM
Sam I have a poem by the same name, posted in my den, and it asks the same question, only in different words. This poem too, reflects bittersweet memories for me, especially the last stanza. I have a new name, a new status quo and a new chance. But, when I was younger, that new name, new status quo, and new chance would be denied to me for many, many years. I now have all of that on am the path to my final goal. May the Lord be with you always, and at your side constantly. With much love, peace, & (((HUGS))), your dear friend in Wisconsin USA,
Barbara Lynn Terry
"If I have to...Then I may as well be."
This Too ... Could Be Love (Poetry) - 2/28/2005 5:56:24 AM
This is really good Sam, it takes a look on the lives of many, without being personal, it reflects on their memories, without being specific. There are bittersweet memories for me, hidden deep in this poem. May the Lord be with you always, and at your side constantly. With much love, peace, & (((HUGS))), your dear friend in Wisconsin,
Barbara Lynn Terry
"If I have to...Then I may as well be."
The Wine Writer (Poetry) - 2/28/2005 5:55:21 AM
such a perfect little tale
a gem in an elegant setting
good write
john+
Why Me? (Poetry) - 2/26/2005 8:49:13 AM
Why indeed? Thought-provokingly insightful. Thank you for sharing this poetic offering. Love and peace. Regis
Why Me? (Poetry) - 2/20/2005 4:26:52 AM
This is very beautifully done. In a world where all of these things you mention are blocked by fears and inhibitions, the very idea of this changing is astounding. I think the ending sets it off, because you snap out of the daydream and go back to the original question of why.
M.Rose
Why Me? (Poetry) - 2/15/2005 8:47:20 AM
You do humble very well, Sam! This is a beautiful poem and I can see "why" Thanks for sharing
etw
Why Me? (Poetry) - 2/15/2005 6:52:17 AM
Judy thought this sad...yet I perceive it as a query that shows humility in a great poet. That very quality might just be one of
the things that person loves about you. Did you ever think of that?
Poetry In Motion (Poetry) - 2/15/2005 6:49:02 AM
Sooo beautiful, and one of the poems that will melt hearts
in your upcoming book, Augustine.
I could feel the wind in my hair, as I read this.
Why Me? (Poetry) - 2/15/2005 6:39:02 AM
This ends up very sad in the asking of the question why?
A Misunderstood Lunatic (Poetry) - 9/23/2004 9:43:01 AM
Excellent write....very unique and expressive...love n luck...BHUWAN!!!
A Misunderstood Lunatic (Poetry) - 9/19/2004 5:08:00 PM
a fine example of saving madness ...
A Misunderstood Lunatic (Poetry) - 9/19/2004 4:27:48 PM
Another brilliant penning...lunatic notwithstanding. The
world's greatest writers, artists, and composers were all
lunatics. And how grateful we are for that! For, through
their sufferings, we reaped the rewards of some of the
grandest artistic pieces in the history of mankind.
Thank you for adding yours.
A Misunderstood Lunatic (Poetry) - 9/19/2004 10:37:54 AM
Well whoever you are , one thing is sure, you can write!
A pleasure to read an enigma!;-)
Anguish and Passion (Poetry) - 9/19/2004 10:02:35 AM
oh god!!!!!!!
thats raw......
in a powerful way!
A Misunderstood Lunatic (Poetry) - 9/19/2004 10:01:27 AM
the mind is EVERTHING!!!!!!
lol
cannot escape that!
good write!
Anche Questo è l'Amore (In Italian) (Poetry) - 7/26/2004 6:59:38 AM
Though I understand a goodly portion of this poem, it
would be great if it could also be posted in English,
as some of the other Italian poets on The Den have done.
Your writing is of such high quality it would be a shame
not to have the English speaking authors read it.
Anguish and Passion (Poetry) - 6/27/2003 6:20:04 AM
Deeply moving evocations of anguish of a most personal nature. Memorable...
Anguish and Passion (Poetry) - 3/31/2003 6:49:06 AM
Alluring...
in your poem there is a wandering spirit full deep emotions, clear in delivery the complexity of human feeling
Anguish and Passion (Poetry) - 1/28/2003 10:47:14 AM
I just love those last two lines...good work here. Floria
