Review: A BREATH OF FRESH AIR - Quite inspirational
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 13, 2010
Life is good, life is worth living and we find beauty, inspiration in the oddest places. I say odd, but not really. Through good times, bad times, hard times and despair, what is really important; what makes our world turn and makes life worth living is all around us, is a part of us, and we really don't have to do all that much seeking; we only have to look, feel and realize.This collection of poems by Veronica Cammille Tinto is a perfect example of one of our fellow humans traveling with us through life who has seen some of the hard and bitter times we all experience and yet has taken the time to look, reflect and appreciate the things that are real; the things that are truly important.This is a collection of 97 poems; reflections and contemplations really, which not only guide us to the places and events in our lives that really matter, but also truly inspire. The frank statements so lyrically presented in poem after poem are void of the vague metaphors and obscure analogies which plague so many works and completely turn many away from the pleasures of reading poetry. This author says what she says and there is little doubt in the readers mind as to the message she is passing on.The entire gambit of human emotions are addressed here, from love to disappointment, to rage, to sadness, to the past, present and future. Here we have a thoughtful and rather gentle way of looking at things, reflections of past experiences which include losses, loves, happiness and sorry. I have been accused of having a Polly Anna outlook on life and indeed this is true to a certain extent. It has also been noted that I am one of the most pragmatic people many of my friends have ever met. This is true to a certain extent. I found both of these traits strongly expressed in Ms. Tinto's work so I must admit that her writings have touched me; I could relate. I feel that this type of work may not appeal to the ultra self proclaimed sophisticated; the jaded, or as Anne of Green Gales would put it, "I fear they have no imagination."As to format and style; the question of just what is poetry and what is not; what is prose, what is not, has been raging for years and years. The variations of style, rhythm, meter, syntax are absolutely endless. We can go with the strict text book definition; the Schoolmarm version right out of our past, we can go with the very strict rules and regulations found in haiku or tanka (waka) or shi, or we can go the many routes taken by Western poets throughout the ages, classical European, Nordic ode, Greek, Roman, Indian, etc. etc. We can drift into the confusing and wonderful world of free verse if we wish!Years ago...many, many years ago, I finally came to the personal opinion that poetry is poetry if the poet says it is. Who am I to judge such matters? I just read what is offered. I either like it or I don't. It either touches me or it doesn't. I happen to like this particular work and it most certainly touched me. I chose to call it poetry. Now I realize that this goes against the infallible wisdom and proclamations of the all knowing Wikipedia and I feel horrible about this (rolls eyes), but so be it.When I review a book of poetry I normally give an example of the poets work in my review. In the case of this collection it would be simply unfair to the poet to do so as her construction, syntax, rhythm and thoughts fluctuate greatly from poem to poem and no single offering could give an honest representation of her work as a whole.This is a wonderful read to have by your table on the back porch when you are in a reflective mood. It is a wonderful read when you find that you are more worried how on earth your are going to afford your upgrade to a new Lexus rather than focusing on the delight of watching a grandson do well in his last game or a daughter who has planted a beautiful flower garden or the shear joy of watching a young cooper's hawk on what is obviously his first hunt.More than any of the other written art forms, poetry gives us a much better look in to the real being; the soul so to speak, of the artist. After reading this work I am positive that Ms. Tinto would be a person worth knowing. I am also positive that this is a work worth reading.Don BlankenshipThe Ozarks