Review: A Sacred Gift of Frozen Magic
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 09 5, 2013
I was mesmerized and enchanted when I read "Peter: A Darkened Fairytale" by William O'Brien, and when I saw that this poetry collection came out, I couldn't wait to read it. Once again, I wanted to be transported to the magical worlds that Peter explored in the novel. And this collection felt even more magical than the novel itself, perhaps because poetry tends to rely on sounds, rhymes, and hints more so than prose.I loved all the poems in this book, but here are some lines that I especially liked and my reasons:From "Drawers and Doors"Chase the light, chosen oneDo you hear the ticking of the clock?Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tockI love these lines because they remind me of the inevitable  passage of time, of the fleeting moment that is our life, and of the need to "chase the light" or seize the day, have adventures and try to accomplish dreams while the clock of our life is still ticking.From "Wandering Twondle"Mr Twindle Twondle climbedMr Twindle Twondle crawledUp high through the towerCurly tail and allTo me, this poem feels lighter, more playful, reminiscent of old-fashioned nursery rhymes and clever poems of Lewis Carroll. It's a fun one to read aloud.From "Frozen Magic"Hidden from all, some will seekFrozen gifts not for the meekBrave of heart soon shall findTiny glaciers worlds do bindThis poem and these lines feel very cinematic to me.  Combine these lines with the image of "sacred fire" from an earlier line, and you have a world of contradictions, of duality of fire and ice, a force that can either create or destroy. I love the reminder to us to be "brave of heart," a quality that will help in any quest.From "Kiylore"Crashing glass, growing ivy crawlsSnowdrops push splitting clawsBreath of fire engulfs fierce and trueReturns a life that you once knewBeautiful imagery here as well. I especially like the juxtaposition of delicate snowdrops pushing "splitting claws," all in an effort to regain a life left behind. Very powerful.From "Wildflower Valley"Spells that dust the sleeping flowersMay just drip with April showersIn summer lands frolic and singStill protected by nature's wingI grew up in a country where pagan culture never felt too far away, and this poem took me back to some of the pagan rituals I learned about as a child, through stories, fairy-tales, and even some traditional holidays. Being "protected by nature's wing" and spells cast on "the sleeping flowers" feel like concepts straight out of humanity's pagan past.This whole collection is delightfully magical, mysterious, and will stir your imagination and creativity. A wonderful book indeed!