Book Review: In the Shadow of Rainbows
Posted: January 12, 2024 Filed under: Book Review, Books, Collection, Poetry, Review | Tags: Book Review, In The Shadow of Rainbows, Poetry, Poetry Collection, Selma Martin, Writing to be Read 15 CommentsAbout the Book
In this dazzling debut poetry collection of over 60 carefully selected poems, author Selma Martin points the way to the beauty in the everyday, the shadow of the rainbow, and the silver lining at the edge of every cloud.
Favouring lyrical forms, and revelling in rhymes and musical language, the individual poems in this collection harmonise together in symphonic splendour to form an enlightening and delightful whole.
Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Rainbows-Collection-Songs-Presence-ebook/dp/B0CB5PLMB6/
My Review
I’m happy to be able to begin 2024 with the review of Selma Martin’s debut poetry collection, In The Shadow of Rainbows. Many of the poems in this special collection have a lyrical feel to them from the poet’s unique style, finding ways to celebrate life and the wonderful things found when you least expect them, lying hidden in the shadows. I received an ARC copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I see poems as personal reflections on love, life and nature. They express the unique way that each poet sees the world, and shares them, opening doors for others to view the world in a different way. Poetry can express some amazing things, and make its readers think of things in ways they’ve never before considered. Selma Martin has done just that, opening doors to reveal the hidden world which jumps out and surprises us from the shadows of rainbows.
I truly enjoyed reading through this collection, often going back and rereading poems which resonated with me personally. It is often amazing to view the world through someone else’s eyes, revealing what we might not otherwise see, and this journey offered in Martin’s collection is a truly wonderous one. This delightful collection of lilting, lyrical poetry offers special appreciation for life, love and the world around us.
As with most poetry reviews, the best way to describe the poet’s unique style and perspective is to share some of my favorite selections for my readers to judge for themselves. Because, after all, the poetry speaks for itself better than anything I could say to describe it.
(Martin’s form doesn’t transfer well on WordPress, so I hope I didn’t butcher them too badly.)
Slice of Life
Flanked between two warnings, I live you, planting the light hours with loving acts, for you, for us, for our menage,
and when I meet dusk, filled,
ready for our mingling at the table, where we swap slices of lived moments of the same day, hearts swell replete.
The Lore
Azure and unperturbed is the sky until a little
cloud perches high above me near sunset
I quit my book
glad Cloud stopped for me.
We stare at each other long, me, blanking out toils and troubles, Cloud turning orange and peach until she mauves herself,
Melding with Sky, and follows it.
When I can discern her no more I walk away from my tent-down to the small river that gurgles. I watch it gain speed, and as it snakes into the noble Pacific
I hear her babble me a goodbye.
A salacious wind blows warm air behind my ear but soon disowns me, a moth brushes on my temple and is gone much too soon.
Everyone’s on the move except me- I don’t mind, I have the chant of the river, the bustling of bugs,
puddles of moonlight, silhouetting the beauteous forms of things and best of all, and best of all the seven daughters of Atlas
clustered over me.
What else do I need?
For an Hour
when a colorless day let’s slip a rare irreproachable hour
take it and indulge it for a while sit with it, let it swallow you while
or paint it with shades alluring, dye each section with thoughts of hope
paint your steps from here to the seashore pigment the waves to humor the sun
taint the sun-no wait-don’t paint the sun we need Helios to stay as is
winnow the bulrush color-washed clouds that camouflage Mt. Fuji
and the hawk-just let the hawk be duly, a day will never beam
without bringing you recall
of the sea, laughing with you for an hour
A wonderful way to begin the new year with a lovely collection of poetry. I give In The Shadow of Rainbows five quills.
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Kaye Lynne Booth does honest book reviews on Writing to be Read in exchange for ARCs. Have a book you’d like reviewed? You can request a review here.
Hi Kaye, a lovely review of Selma’s poetry. I also enjoyed this book 🌺
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Hey Robbie. You also blessed me with a lovely review and indeed I’m so grateful for both you and Kaye Lynne for the words. Thanks from the bottom of my heart. xo, xo.
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It’s a wonderful book, Selma.
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Wonderful review Kaye. I liked that you went back and reread poems…that speaks volumes to the richness of the poetry.
Congratulations Selma!
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Hey, Suzette, dearest. The review has put me in a really good place mentally. And I so appreciate your comment. Thank you, my friend. I bless you.
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A pleasure Selma! Thank you for the blessings! Same to you!
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💗 💗
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Wonderful review, Kaye. Thank you for sharing it. My heartfelt congratulations to Selma. ❤️
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It was totally my pleasure to review this poetry collection. Selma has a knack for finding the bright side of things. ☺️
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Kaye Lynne, you bless me. I appreciate you. Sorry it took me this long to visit to show my appreciation. This review feels so good at the start of this new week as the month/year hasn’t been one with vigor. But now I feel the sun has found me. hehe. Bless you.
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Hey, Gwen, dearest. Thank you. My heart already holds you dearly for the lovely support you bless me with. All the best, dear one. Please be warm and safe. xo
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Selma dear, this is a wonderful achievement. I’ve just purchased the book and look forward to savoring each poem. ❤️
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Oh my lucky star!! You did that? Aww 🥹 Thanks so much, Gwen. I appreciate you for everything. Xoxo 🙇🏽♀️
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wonderful review of her beautiful work
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Thanks most dearly, Beth. I’m happy to be in your company. Blessings. Xoxo
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