Category: Poetry Publisher: Amazon Digital Service
ISBN-10: 1434836509
Type: Fiction
Pages: 100
Copyright: May 22, 2011
This is the e-book edition.
A collection of poetry about nature and life by Dawn Huffaker. Read her poetry on the go. Available at Amazon for 99¢. Check it out.
Excerpt
Here is one of the poems about summer:
Summer’s Promise Fulfilled
Winter’s snows fall, then melt.
Spring’s winds stir, then cease.
Summer’s warmth appears.
Her children heed her call
To awaken from underground.
They poke their tiny heads above the dirt
To taste the new season.
The rains begin, and the plants grow quickly.
The clock has started, and
Every moment is precious.
Every ray of sunlight, and
Every drop of rain is used
For next year’s promise.
Now her children are maturing
And showing the pride of their labor.
Flowers shower the countryside with
Purples, golds and blues.
Grasses show their shimmering heads.
Fall yawns and whispers,
“Hurry! Finish up. Time for bed.”
Soon the rush is over,
And all is done,
For Summer’s promise is fulfilled.
-Dawn L. Huffaker
Professional Reviews
Flights of Fancy-A Recommended Collection Of Poetry
Flights of Fancy is a collection of poetry representing New Mexico poet Dawn Huffaker's best work from the past twenty-five years.
The author has divided the ninety or so selections into six chapters, or flights, as she calls them. Straight away it is apparent that Huffaker loves nature, her friends, and her family and of course the New Mexico Mountains, as all have inspired her creations.
In the first flight entitled Magical Seasons, sixteen poems are offered marking the differences in weather and the emotional effects of the four seasons. These poems are filled with youthful enthusiasm as I'm sure many were written during high school years. Next is Life's Wonder's. Sixteen poems about college, growing up, and relationships with those kept close. Emotional Trips has a personal feel, as she visits basic emotions such joy, anger, and grief. Nature Interludes takes an up close look at Mother Nature's greatest masterpieces from the moon and stars, mountains and moonlight to butterflies, storms, and floods. Huffaker gives thanks to God in the fifth Chapter, Universal Reveries. In the final flight, Word Paintings, the author wraps up the collection with six titles that wouldn't easily fit into any of the other chapters with poetry about aquariums, balloons, and postage stamps.
Huffaker has done a wonderful job formatting her book with intricate designs framing each page and beautiful black and white photography gracing chapter introductions.
Her work is observational. She describes the world around her with no wasted words, and without using poetic devices that could suggest multiple interpretations. No simile or metaphor to cloud her meaning. She delivers her message without irony or symbolism to alter the impact of her words. This is free verse in every sense with mild use of rhyme and even less rhythm. Many of the poems here are simple acronym poetry that took me back to my first exposure to writing poetry in early grade school. An example:
"Joy"
Just a time when
One person or thing takes
You to heaven and back again.
Dawn Huffaker has a definite passion for poetry. One can easily see the joy and comfort that writing brings to her life. I recommend Flights of Fancy to those who enjoy their poetry down-to-earth and to the point.
By William Potter for Reader's Choice Book Reviews
A Fantastic Collection of Poems
In the introduction to this collection of poetry by Dawn Huffaker, the author likens the chapters to a series of `flights' - those which are inspired by nature and come as the result of experiencing joy, beauty, sadness, and other emotions. Most of the poems were created in response to the majesty of scenic views which abound outside the windows of her home in southwestern New Mexico. This becomes abundantly obvious as the reader delves into the book.
Ms. Huffaker's poems were written over a period of 25 years or so. From those that deal with her younger days in school, to those that herald some of her greatest loves - God, rodeo, and computers - a diversity of subjects and styles is represented. But all are inspirational, deft at portraying particular images, and evocative of higher emotions.
I think my favorite part of this volume, however, is those poems which convey nature. New Mexico is truly a splendid representation of natural beauty and God's skillful touch in designing magnificent glory. The author excels in getting the description of this exquisiteness just right: soft purple glow/whispers across the sky/as the sun yawns/and exits the day; soft pink glow/nudges the stars/from the dance floor/and sends them off to bed. I love these lines and their personification of celestial bodies.
Reading Ms. Huffaker's lines makes me long to visit New Mexico and view its natural beauty once again, as seen through her eyes; as the author states: I live on the shoulder/of a sleeping giant/his nightshirt is made/of the junipers/and pines. Flights of Fancy is a truly touching and beautiful work.
This is my personal inspirational book of poetry. It contains many poems written for family, friends, and relevant life situations. Hopefully you will find some that will encourage and inpsire you in whatever arena you are found in your circle of l
