Treasuring Poetry – Meet talented poet, Dawn Pisturino and a review #poetrycommunity #poetry #TreasuringPoetry

Posted: October 16, 2024 | Author: robbiesinspiration | Filed under: Books, Collection, Poetry, Review, Treasuring Poetry | Tags: Dawn Pistrurino, Haiku for the Midnight Hour, Interview, Poeetry, Robbie Cheadle, Treasuring Poetry, Writing to be Read | 65 Comments

Picture Caption: Banner for Treasuring Poetry,2024 featuring giraffes

Today, I am delighted to welcome talented poet, Dawn Pisturino, as my October Treasuring Poetry guest. Dawn has a Halloween collection of micro poems which I’ve reviewed below.

What is your favourite style of poetry to read i.e. haiku, ballad, epic, freestyle, etc?

I like any style of poetry to read, but my favorite is the sonnet. William Shakespeare and Elizabeth Barrett Browning excelled in this art form that elevates the mind and captures the soul.

What is your favourite poem in your favourite style to read?

My favorite sonnet is the classic love poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning from her collection, Sonnets from the Portuguese. “Portuguese” was Robert Browning’s pet name for his wife. Her sonnets are so expertly written and articulate such deep love and passion! They are delightful to read and reflect the nature of true romantic love between two people—the abiding love that most people dream about but rarely find.

Sonnet XLIII

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.

I love thee to the level of everyday’s

Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.

I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;

I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.

I love thee with the passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints, – I love thee with the breath,

Smiles, tears, of all my life! – and, if God choose, 2

I shall but love thee better after death.

What is your favourite style of poetry to write? Why?

It’s easier to write in free verse and let the words and emotions flow. Writing in a tight form, like a sonnet or haiku, requires discipline, creativity, and a more extensive vocabulary.

What is your favourite of your own poems?

“Ariel’s Song” is my favorite poem because it was written for my daughter when she was quite small. It reflects our life when we lived in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Ariel’s Song

Ariel sings a lusty song

Of ships upon the sea,

And ere the night is very long,

Her spell is cast on me.

She spins a web of intrigue,

She tells a tale of woe;

And when the sun is waxing big,

I do not want to go, –

No, I do not want to go.

But she folds her wings together

And whispers my release;

For her stories last forever

And her songs will never cease.

Then, she rises from the window,

Winging high into the light,

And I’m left alone in shadow

As she disappears from sight.

Tell us a bit about your latest collection of haiku, Haiku for the Midnight Hour. What inspired you to write this collection? Is Halloween a favourite celebration of yours?

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. I have fond childhood memories of picking fresh pumpkins from the garden, buying cider from the local apple stand, bobbing for apples at my best friend’s house, and going trick-or-treating with my little brother. Early in the year, I thought about writing a dark haiku collection and decided to finish it in time for Halloween. It was a fun project. I wrote twisted, dark limericks for Underneath the Juniper Tree that were quite popular with readers of all ages. I thought it would be fun to do the same with haiku. Purists may not like non-traditional haiku about monsters, aliens, demons, voodoo gods, and other dark themes, but I’m hoping it will be an interesting introduction to haiku for adults, teens, and young adults.

My review of Haiku for the Midnight Hour

Picture caption: Cover of Haiku for the Midnight Hour featuring a raven in a graveyard perched on a human skull

This is an entertaining collection of micro poems that revolve around the themes of Halloween and ghostly happenings. The micro poems are collected under common themes with headings, for example, Wee Folk and Crystal Balls.

While most of the micro poems deal with the paranormal, there are several that deal with Family and dark events in the home. On such example is Aunt Jane, as follows:

“aunt jane – locked away
in the attic for years – rocks
back and forth in chains”

The poems are clever and darkly humorous. Two of my favourites are as follows:

Jack and the Giant
“jack climbed the beanstalk
with curious intention
a giant backlash”

Purgatory
“purgatory and
punishment clean souls tarnished
by sinful doings”

If you enjoy clever and dark theme micro poems, this is the book for you.

Purchase Haiku for the Midnight Hour by Dawn Pisturino from Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DD3SBP6N

About Dawn Pisturino

Picture caption: Author photograph of Dawn Pisturino from Amazon.com

Dawn Pisturino is a retired nurse in Arizona whose international publishing credits include poems, short stories, and articles. Her first poetry book, Ariel’s Song: Published Poems, 1987 – 2023, debuted with five-star reviews. Her short chapbook, Lunar Gazing Haiku, became a #1 Amazon New Release in six categories. Her newest release, Haiku for the Midnight Hour, achieved #1 Amazon New Release status in three categories. She is a member of Mystery Writers of America, PEN America, and the Arizona Authors Association.

You can find all of Dawn Pisturino’s books on Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0CYM7BV37

About Robbie Cheadle

Photo of Robbie Cheadle standing in front of trees.

South African author and illustrator, Robbie Cheadle, has written and illustrated sixteen children’s books, illustrated a further three children’s books, and written and illustrated three poetry books. Her work has also appeared in poetry and short story anthologies.

Robbie also has two novels and a collection of short stories published under the name of Roberta Eaton Cheadle and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.

You can find Robbie Cheadle’s artwork, fondant and cake artwork, and all her books on her website here: https://www.robbiecheadle.co.za/

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This segment of “Treasuring Poetry” is sponsored by WordCrafter Press and the Poetry Treasures series.