A heartfelt collection of poems, 2 short stories, described by their readers as: moving, uplifting, thoughts provoking, visceral and humoristic. Johana's words touch the hearts of her readers and her poetry flows like music, said one reviewer. ALL ROYALTIES DONATED TO 9-11 FUND
How better to describe her work than letting her reviewers speak about it?
I was enchanted by the music and beauty of the poems. It brought to my mind the book of Rabindranath 'Gitanjali', which means 'A Handful of Songs', Nobel Prize winner of 1913. André Gide translated it into French under the title 'Offrande Lyrique'. Dr. X. Camotim—Lisbon. Portugal.
Johana Smith's poems are an outpouring of a profoundly felt love and a sharply observing eye. She sends resonating waves in the heart of her readers.
Many will identify with her, oh, so human vulnerability and candid unveiling of our most hidden states of turmoil, being utterly elated, and next, in the grips of agonizing uncertainty. She is tender, warm, with an uncanny knowledge of human frailties and gifted with heights of perception. I felt in awe before such talent in expressing our common woes with such sensitivity and candour. Johana, I salute you. Some of her poems are hailed/destined to become classics. Jacqueline Felix—Melbourne, Australia
Excerpt
How can a few quotes from a poem give justice to it?
Judgement should be done on the total work of an author and not a few lines which could be misunderstood by would be critics.
Bear in mind that a lot of the poems in 9/11/2001 were originally written in FRENCH and as every one familiar with poetry knows, Poems lose some of their flow and impact even in the best translation.
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Reviews for "9/11/2001, Other Poems and Short Stories"
Reviewed by Tara Kay Turner
11/19/2002
Johana,
I got your book in the mail! WOW, it was beautiful! I read it cover to cover and then let my mom read it. You are so talented. Thank You for sharing with me. It came at such a great time, I had been having a terrible day, I got home from work, opened your package, sat down and read it. It made me forget about my problems and see things in a different perspective. It made me laugh and cry. A beautiful read.
Thank You so much. Its not often I get to come into contact with somebody with the soul and depth you posess.
Reviewed by Christine Watson
11/5/2002
Hi Johana,
I don't know you, but we have studied your epic poem "La Reine" in our poetry workshop. I have just received your new book (Professeur R. told us about it during a previous lecture). Will you publish a French edition of 9/11/2001? My English is not that bad, but I miss some of the nuances. A group of friends were reading it at a café near La Sorbonne yesterday, and gosh, do I love "Gazer", "Will you still be mine" and "Love without frontiere".
I was reading the bits about microwave ovens and thou shall forgive and laughing madly. People around looked at me with contempt.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.
Reviewed by Johana
11/5/2002
To Mr. Mathiesen and Ms. Wehrenberg, thank you for your critics. I just wonder if, before you gave me such wonderful reviews, you took the time to read more than the few lines which were previously published above.
Only experts like you can judge the quality of a book of poems with so little knowledge of it.
I really appreciate the time you have taken to voice your dislike.
As a French phylosopher said: "La Critique est aiséee, mais l'Art est difficile".
Johana Smith
Reviewed by Krysta
11/5/2002
I was a student of one of Ms. Smith's worshop during the holidays and wonder if the 2 people who have criticized 9/11/2001 so harshly have taken the time to read the full poem. Furthermore, I am not sure they have read her book at all. I believe that if they had, they would have a totally different opinion about it than the superficial "too harsh" or "tempering of the outrage".
Demolishing someone else's art is not generally done without knowledge, and as someone who knows the author and more than a few lines from an extensive poem, I am pretty sure that this spite is unwarranted. Krysta, a student of "The Art of written expression" workshop, July 2002.
Reviewed by Lesley
11/3/2002
Johana
I couldn't put your book down.
Your poems brought tears to my eyes. So much pain, so much joy, so much hope and inner emotions are revealed in them. Hope to be able to buy 101 Pet Peeves soon, can't wait to finish reading your Microwave Ovens article.
Reviewed by Frank Johnson
11/3/2002
Johana thank you for sharing your thoughts about September11 with us. You have voiced what a lot of us felt about this cowardly attack. I am not from the US but I did feel violated too and angry at the time.
Your poems are heartfelt and like one of your reviewer says, I wouldn't be surprised if they became classics in the future.
Can't wait for your next book.
Reviewed by Glenn and Nancy Bowie
11/2/2002
We volunteer at a local adult detention center. Nancy manages a library, Glenn teaches HTML. It is most rewarding to see how detainees react to poems in 9/11/2001. It is as though author and detainees tune in at deep, fundamental levels. Thank you Johana Smith for sharing your sensitivities with needful individuals.
This is a book of free verse poetry that addresses the seven main tests in life and offers some sensible solutions to passing those tests with minimal discomfort.
