Here is my book review of Merril D. Smith‘s beautiful new poetry collection. I hope it makes you want to order a copy!
Merril D. Smith’s new poetry collection, Held Inside the Folds of Time, is a testament to Smith’s background as a historian. But what is more important is Smith’s sensitivity to previous generations. She opens the collection with a poem about a cave painting. By doing so, he connects us with all who have come before.
She recognizes what she’s learned from her ancestors, who–in “How I Learned”–“showed me that I have my own wings– / unfold them, fly. This, too, is part of the pattern.” The poet can’t or won’t get away from them: “My dead follow me through every timeline” (“Suspended, Surrounded”).
Smith’s ancestors who immigrated to the United States, her own family of origin, even the soldiers who died in a Revolutionary War battle are all subjects of the book. “In Memorium: For the Unknown Soldiers at Red Bank Battlefield” asserts “their ghosts roam the battlefield / settling their bones, unsettled in time.”
Nature features prominently in Smith’s poetry, and this is where the lyrical beauty of her writing is best displayed. She uses many poetic techniques, particularly variations of rhyme, such as off rhyme, end rhyme, and internal rhyme. These lines are from “Cross-Quarter Days”:
The blooms have browned,
blossoms scattered to the wind
now snow veils the ground,
there above, one bony root unpinned.”
While the poems contain examples of the beauty of life, the overall tone of the book is a lovely mournfulness. As Smith writes in “Winter Birches,” “there is no happily ever, only after.”
Held Inside the Folds of Time demonstrates the potential gorgeousness of language as it mourns and celebrates the poet’s world.
Thank you, thank you, Luanne for this beautiful review of my book, Held Inside the Folds of Time! I’m so happy you read it and enjoyed it, and I appreciate the review very much!
A wonderful experience!!!
Thank you! xx
Just posted the review on Amazon and Goodreads. Is the book on BookBub?
Thank you so much, Luanne!! I appreciate that you did that.
I have no idea about BookBub.
I just joined it, and I can post there if your book is up there. If you join it, let me know and I’ll post.
Thank you, Luanne!
Wonderful review. I cannot wait for my copy – should arrive by Thursday!
Thanks, Dale. It was a pleasure to review the collection.
What a lovely review! This sounds like a book worth reading.
You will love it, Dawn!
Thank you, Dawn!
Compelling review
Thank you! Compelling book!
This is a lovely review, Luanne, thank you!
It’s a wonderful thing how Merril can be so positive and realistic al at once.
I think “Held Inside the Folds of Time” is a mini masterpiece book of poetry.
Thank you, Resa. It’s a gorgeous book.
I completely agree, Luanne!
Such a lovely review of this book of poems. I love the title too “held within the folds of time.” Makes me want to cozy up with this book right now.
Thanks, Deborah! Its well worth it!
Thank you very much, Deborah!
This is a detailed and intriguing review of Merrill’s book.
Thank you, Robbie! I had fun reading and reviewing it!
Congratulations to Merril on the excellent review! I have her book, and I’m looking forward to reading it. Sharing to help spread the word!
Thanks so much, Liz! You are great!
You’re welcome, Luanne!
Thank you so much, Liz! 😊
You’re welcome, Merril.
A beautifully insightful review
Thank you so much, Derrick!
Such a wonderful review, Luanne! I’m looking forward to reading Merriil’s book. Her photography is as gorgeous as her poems.
So true about her photos. I love seeing them on Instagram, too. Thank you, Marie! xo
I love Merril’s poetry. Thanks for the nudge, Luanne. A beautiful review.
Diana, oh, that is great. I’m so glad I could provide the nudge haha! Enjoy!!!!
Thank you very much, Diana!