Satin Verses presents a compilation of R. Leland Waldrip's poetic essays in rhythm and rhyme. His views on a variety of subjects are expressed using rhyming couplets as a favorite style throughout.
This outstanding collection of poetry--from mundane observations (poetry, garden variety situations, love poems, society) to poetic essays (on politics, religion and philosophy) is presented by R. Leland Waldrip. His unique view of the world will be pleasing to some, disturbing to others, but his poetic style is sure to please the sense of rhyme and rhythm as you make a delightful journey through SATIN VERSES.
Excerpt
A poem doesn't have to rhyme, they say,
It can weave words together and convey
Thoughts and feelings, stories of beauty,
That sort things out, but it has no duty
To give similar ending to line or verse,
Or a sing-songed cadence try to nurse.
They say rhyming words are a compromise,
And rarely are right for the thought we prize,
But saying it right with rhymed words sings,
And texture, character, and rhythm brings.
So denigrate rhymes 'til hell's been froze
But know what's left's not poetry, it's prose!
Professional Reviews
Midwest Book Review by Laurel Johnson
Satin Verses
by R. Leland Waldrip
ISBN 1-892105-07-1
97 pages at 16.95 paperback
www.rappahannockbooks.com
Author and poet Waldrip shares his thoughts in rhyme this time with Satin Verses. Subjects range from the mundane to the sublime, and he does it with humorous, pragmatic or philosophical bent. As stated on the back cover, readers may be either pleased or disturbed but will appreciate his rhyme and rhythm. Following are excerpts of his verses on various subjects.
The hummingbird in "Tiny Tyrant":
In your ruby cravat and frock of green
What hormone or gene made you so mean?
There you sit, so cocky, so proud,
You've chased away the hummer crowd
From your red and yellow nectar stash
In a hellbent Kamikaze buzzing flash.
I enjoyed his reply to the Unabomber manifesto, in which Ted Kazinsky stated that technology had ruined mankind:
You hardly spurn technolgy, your bombs blow
Good people to bits, lay wooden buildings low.
In "Anthem", the poet takes on organized religion:
I won't accept a religious creed,
Or bend my knee in word or deed.
If blasphemy I commit, so I deign,
But not holy treason against my brain!
Finally Mr. Waldrip shares his thoughts in prose and verse on "September 11, 2001" and questions the presence of an all knowing all loving God on that horrible day. His conclusion follows:
It made no difference, don't you see,
What their ethics or morals would be,
The catastrophe came and innocents took,
And God was neutral, not even a look.
The subjects addressed in rhyming verse are too numerous to excerpt here. Read Satin Verses for yourself. There's something for everyone, food for thought.
Writer Waldrip furthers his writing prowess with this 92 page book of verse. Waldrip’s versatility is well showcased in this little volume. I believe my favorite of the works is Tiny Tyrant, Waldrip must have been hiding in my yard and watching the little feathered beasties as they battle for the feeders.
Satin Verses is a perfect little book for a quiet afternoon. Happy to recommend
Read full review this site: article by mj hollingshead
Reviewed by: molly martin http://www.angelfire.com/ok4/mollymartin
http://www.AuthorsDen.com/mjhollingshead
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