Soul Flowers by Cynthia Schumacher
“Soul Flowers is supposed to the touch and encourage, and Schumacher does simply that.”
With the brand new 12 months comes a brand new sense of hope. I can consider no higher time to embrace the great thing about poetry, particularly in works similar to Cynthia Schumacher’s seventh assortment, Soul Flowers.
On this timeless assortment, Schumacher explores with gifted verse these common human feelings and experiences that unite us. Her poetry encourages a sense of kinship with all readers — and writers and poets — throughout the ages, usually turning to the pure world for inspiration.
Explores Huge Matters
The poetry in Soul Flowers encompasses an enormous vary of matters in an attractive movement from starting to finish, incorporating new items in addition to some from older collections.
A lot of her poems contact on the concepts of hope and resilience, similar to these discovered within the courageous spirit of the blooming clematis in “Nature Advisory” or the comforting knowledge of “Enterprise Advise.”
Many poems deal with the threads that join us to at least one one other, particularly these unseen. Like how the courageous “Refugee” on the TV is related to the “numerous human eyes / that see you.” Like how the outdated blind girl in “Neighborhood Challenge” brings her neighborhood collectively to expertise pleasure, and the way we’re reminded of timeless classes in “Childhood Philosophy.”
Highly effective Reflections
A few of these threads cross over with the poet’s reflections on religion and scripture, just like the connection and pleasure we really feel in “Mild Supply,” or the light reassurance we really feel from nature in “Harvest Reward.”
Whereas “BIRTHDAY” supplies a light-hearted, humorous take a look at the delivery of Christ, “Mary Pondering” supplies a profound and shifting take a look at the lifetime of a mom, one many people may not have thought of earlier than. “Mary Pondering” was certainly one of my private favorites.
Maybe Schumacher’s most addressed subject is on the serenity present in getting older, like within the bittersweet knowledge of “Various: Maturity” or the enjoyment in “Retirement Occasion.” In a number of poems she displays on the significance of looking for knowledge from those that got here earlier than — and the enjoyment of sharing your journey with those that come after.
Lyrical Verse
Schumacher examines these numerous matters with a eager eye for element, incorporating lovely imagery of the pure world all through the gathering. It’s onerous to learn only one line with out getting swept away in one other, particularly with poems like “Wake-Up Name” and “November Discover,” which effortlessly movement to create a scene of breathless magnificence.
Even when not specializing in pure imagery, Schumacher’s use of language is refined and assuredly crafted to maintain readers absorbed, like within the repetition and humor of “Grainglorious.” My favourite line comes from “Diminutive Defenders,” and reads: “When love surrounds, / the Fu canines sleep, and of their goals they smile.” Stunning!
A few of my different favorites throughout the assortment embrace “Sympathy Card,” which is brief, candy and shifting, and “Catapult,” which is enjoyable and heartwarming.
Appeals to All Audiences
The poems present in Soul Flowers are pleasing and accessible for all audiences. As Schumacher calls it, her “phrase music” is supposed to enchantment to all those that discover magnificence and pleasure in poetry — not simply poetry snobs.
Schumacher makes use of poetry as a type of exploration and self-discovery, and located a contemporary viewers by means of her early printed collections. What started as a therapeutic or non secular train — and publishing, a type of report retaining — rapidly grew to become one thing extra as Schumacher’s poems started to the touch the lives of those that in any other case by no means consumed poetry.
Inspirational Poetry
Schumacher closes out the gathering with a blessing to all her readers, one ultimate message that’s certain to linger in each reader’s coronary heart. Soul Flowers is supposed to the touch and encourage, and Schumacher does simply that. I’m certain a couple of reader will stroll away with the encouragement they should discover the enjoyment — and poetry — in on a regular basis life.
About Cynthia Schumacher:
Cynthia Schumacher is a retired public college trainer and a part-time instructional advisor on constructive approaches to educating and studying. She lives in Sebring, Florida.
Publish Date: 9/20/2023
Style: Nonfiction, Poetry
Writer: Cynthia Schumacher
Web page Depend: 48 pages
Writer: Peppertree Press
ISBN: 9781614939139