Cider Press Review, 2021
Poetry; 80 pgs
Passiflora is a collection of poems about our day-to-day struggles with loss, raising children, relationships, aging and creating art, and how the nature that surrounds us informs how we view these challenges and sometimes serves as a source of solace. [Goodreads Summary]
I initially was drawn to this collection of poetry based on the description, particularly about parenting, aging and seeing how the author weaves it with the nature around us. I always find it challenging to review poetry. It is so much about feeling--how the poems make me feel. And how I relate to them. I suppose it is the same with a novel too, but it's different somehow. Poetry is much more personal. Capturing a moment or thought in time. Kathy Davis's poetry does that in her collection Passiflora. Whether writing about adoption, a woman's thoughts as she wanders through an art exhibit, cancer, or loss among a myriad of other topics, Kathy Davis deftly entwines each of her poems with nature, whether animals or plants. In her poem, "Starlings", for example, the poet combines the imagery of nature, birds, with that of suicide and loss, and of secrets, mixed with the every day action of setting a table.
[...] The cacophony of songa hellish choir, each bird's tune slightly offfrom the rest. It's been years since I've been back,the lies elaborate and smart, the silence [excerpt from "Starlings" by Kathy Davis]
Then there is the poem "Weeding" in which the narrator worries, in my mind about a her child, as she weeds. I love the imagery:
Wire grass, insidiousspreads the bed eveningprimrose in the spirea He should havecalled by now pigweed sprouting herethere a deep breath take it clovertiny shoots beneath the juniper [excerpt from "Weeding" by Kathy Davis]
Along with the more serious, there is a bit of humor in the collection too. I enjoyed the poem "The Shetland". Although not a librarian myself, I can relate to feeling the weight of everything one's job may entail. Amidst all that, imagine this scenario:
Would the library like a pony? A lady at the front deskhas brought one in. [excerpt from "The Shetland" by Kathy Davis]
"April & the Affront of Spring" was extremely moving, touching on the topic of death, particularly of the young. I also really liked "With a Delicate Flicker of a Fan" about growing old and illness. I could go on and on, but I would rather you read Passiflora and see for yourself just how beautiful this collection is.
Add to GoodReads:
Available at Cider Press Review and Amazon.
Blog Tour Schedule:
April 1: The Book Lover’s Boudoir (Review)
April 5: Emzi.reads (Review)
April 6: Diary of an Eccentric (Guest Post)
April 12: Musings of a Bookish Kitty (Review)
April 20: Review Tales by Jeyran Main (Interview)
April 26: Impressions in Ink (Review)
April 28: Suko’s Notebook (Guest Post)
May 3: Anthony Avina’s blog (Guest Post)
May 5: Jorie Loves A Story (Interview)
May 10: Anthony Avina’s blog (Review)
May 11: The Book Connection (Review)
Follow the blog tour with the hashtag #Passiflora #KathyDavis @CiderPressRev @KathyDavispoet
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Thank you for sharing the poems. I'm not a huge poetry fan, but it's always nice to read an excerpt once in a while.
ReplyDeleteEustacia - This was a nice collection. Thank you for visiting!
DeleteNot necessarily the kind of poetry that speaks to me personally but I totally get why people would find this book beautiful.
ReplyDeleteFelicity - Like with most collections, some of the poetry spoke to me more than others. I especially like to read poetry out loud when I read it. I try not to drive my husband crazy. :-) Thank you for stopping by!
DeleteThank you for sharing a variety of excerpts. Sounds like an interesting view of life and how it can compare to nature. "Weeding" is particularly interesting.
ReplyDeleteSerena - "Weeding" is definitely one of my favorites! Thank you for letting me be a part of the tour!
DeleteI haven't been able to really get into poems. I think that too many were forced on me during my education. I am glad that you enjoyed this book.
ReplyDeleteCarole - Haha! I know how that is. Maybe that's why I have such a strong aversion to Shakespeare's plays. I like his sonnets though. Thank you for visiting!
DeleteSo true, I find it very hard to review poetry as well but I think you did a great job. I really like what you shared here and will have to put this one on my radar. Always love to discover a new poet.
ReplyDeleteIliana - Thank you! Sometimes I struggle with what to say. I am not as good as many of these authors and poets when it comes to putting words together. :-) I enjoy discovering a new poet as well. Thank you for stopping by!
DeleteI've been thinking a lot about aging recently as I reach my mid 50s and watch my parents ease into their late 70s/early 80s.
ReplyDeleteHelen - I have too, seeing my mom age and aging myself . . . Thank you for visiting!
DeleteI don't read much poetry but this sounds like a great collection. I love poems where the subject matter is something I can relate to.
ReplyDeleteSuzanne - Me too! With poetry being able to relate is really important to me. It holds more meaning that way, I think. Thank you for stopping by!
DeleteIt sounds as if you truly enjoyed this collection. Kathy Davis is able to bring stories, such as "The Shetland", to life quickly and concisely. Wonderful review!
ReplyDeleteSuko - Thank you!
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