Tough Enough and Distant Traveler (Book) - 4/27/2009 2:08:34 PM
Tough Enough, the first book of poetry and flash fiction by C. R. Stone, consists of eight sections with 83 poems organized in the first seven sections - Silent Inspirations, Memorial Reflections, My Little Haikus, Acrostics, Conflictions, Romance, Desire and Heartbreak and Poems for Inspiring.
I instantly embraced natures' glory while reading the Silent Inspirations section. Oxygen, a poem full of beauty, captures the essence of nature as a healing force in one's life.
"Such beauty the landscape painted before me.
A carefully crafted palette of techniques
Sprinkled abroad on everlasting canvas
Applauded by seasonal winds."
But Tough Enough is not a poetry book that only consists of natures' beauty but also showcases the darker side. The Conflictions section consists of poems of a darker nature. The poem Changes is a metaphoric garden of pain and loss.
"My silence is a fading flower.
Quietness hangs like the pink blossoms
on the Amaryllis belladonna bulbs growing
in the rock garden below your window -
they feel my pain."
Man's nature is also taken into consideration within these pages. Condemned compares vengeance to the more disastrous side of nature.
"Bilious vapors hover
While you habituate to misery.
Old memories, faded.
Rainbow desires, paled.
Clouds of bitterness rain
Blood while you follow death.
You'll never see the light
In a haze of vengeance."
The final section of Tough Enough consists of 11 pieces of flash fiction, touching on various topics - love, loss, revenge, deception. Stone bridges the gap between natures' beauty and man's devastating plea for mother earth's healing power.
Thought-provoking, emotional, romantic and sometimes painful - all these words can be used to describe man's journey though life. In the midst of all the troubles and heartache, Tough Enough dares to prove that one constant beauty is still left in this world - Nature.
"Nature
Innocent, free,
Growing, singing, resting
Each season spawns a magical
portrait."
Window of Colors (Poetry) - 7/21/2009 5:54:35 AM
So beatifully penned, loved the line about the painter
Today (Poetry) - 7/19/2009 5:14:28 PM
GREAT WRITE WITH STRONG PHRASES AND CLEAR IMAGERY. ENJOYED. THANKS FOR SHARING AND BLESSINGS. JOYCE * HIS INSPIRATIONS
Window of Colors (Poetry) - 7/19/2009 1:02:04 PM
OLD, WISE EYES CAN USUALLY ALWAYS SEE BENEATH THE SURFACE. WELL WRITTEN WITH GREAT IMAGERY AND PHRASES. THANKS FOR SHARING AND GOD BLESS. JOYCE * HIS INSPIRATIONS
Today (Poetry) - 7/18/2009 7:55:42 PM
Assertive and powerful in expression. Well done, C.R. Love and peace,
Regis
Window of Colors (Poetry) - 7/18/2009 7:54:50 PM
like a painter bringing voice to art
I love this simile and the whole poem, C.R. Thank you for sharing. Love and best wishes,
Regis
Today (Poetry) - 7/18/2009 2:19:28 PM
Again, Ms Stone, you pack a lot of life and hope
into a few beautifully crafted lines. -gene.
Unspoken (Poetry) - 7/17/2009 8:05:55 AM
I'll gladly take your hand and fly away, Ms Stone. I like
the way your mind works, and your heart....and your pen.
-gene.
Dear Me (Poetry) - 7/16/2009 9:50:31 PM
A wonderful lesson learned. Enjoyed.
Blind (Poetry) - 7/16/2009 1:13:58 PM
An excellent piece
Peace
William
Unspoken (Poetry) - 7/16/2009 1:10:51 PM
Unspoken says a lot
and I liked what I read
Peace
William
Reign (Poetry) - 7/14/2009 1:33:24 PM
EXCELLENT WELL PENNED
PEACE
William
Knock Out (Poetry) - 4/13/2009 4:33:53 AM
Is good when love wins! A pleasure to read, short and effective.
Eternity (Poetry) - 4/13/2009 2:52:37 AM
Beautiful poem,very well written,take care
Edwin
Knock Out (Poetry) - 4/13/2009 2:51:36 AM
Great poem,I like the ending the best,exclelent work,take care
Edwin
Knock Out (Poetry) - 4/10/2009 12:53:32 PM
Good one, C.R. I love a happy ending. -gene.
Eternity (Poetry) - 2/14/2009 12:49:37 PM
Glad you are remembering your dear Mother. It is so nice to know our loved ones are in a place where suffering is no more. Beautiful write.
Eternity (Poetry) - 2/12/2009 5:18:09 PM
Reverently, passionately sincere and beautiful...
Be always safe,
Karen
Gypsy Dance (Poetry) - 2/12/2009 2:49:42 PM
Life's disappointments can become our greatest strengths in the end. Great poem.
