Your Next Poetry Book Read!
I’ve created a spot here on Word Craft Poetry for poetry book reviews. You’ll find this new category listed in the Navigation menu at the left of the blog. I’ll try to review a couple of books a month. Stay tuned.
From the Author
In this Picture Poetry collection, journey with the AIF, the ANZACS and the German and French armies at war on the Western Front during the Great War of 1914 – 1918.
Have your photo taken in a studio in Cairo, and your heart broken on a small street in Ballarat.
The bombs are falling in an endless fusillade of artillery fire from both sides of the conflict, turning the Somme into a clagging stew of slurried mud and maddened men.
Frank Prem has taken images of men at war and created verse stories to accompany them and to tell you that this war is hell.
Welcome. Welcome to the Somme.
Amazon.com
My Recommendation
Frank Prem takes his poetry to new heights in this thoughtful poetry/picture book inspired by a photograph used as the cover for a World War I history book titled, The Great War, and written by an Australian journalist, Les Carlyon. He shares how that one image deeply affected him and set him on a search through hundreds of images archived online in War Memorial Museums and State and National Libraries.
Frank Prem is known for his image inspired poetry, and this book was an emotional read. I could tell he responded to the images viscerally by the tone of his poetry. Each image told its own story to Frank, and he wrote from the heart.
This author writes freestyle poetry that mimics syllabic poetry in its brevity of words. Like the photos, his words are stark reminders of the horrors of war told from an Australian perspective. I wondered if he channeled the ghosts of those forever enshrined in those historical photographs. Sometimes it seemed as if they’d whispered their stories to him because his poetry seemed to capture their souls.
Many thanks to the author for providing me a PDF copy of this book. The photographs and the poetry moved me deeply. If you’re a collector of World War I memorabilia, this book would make a handsome addition to your collection.
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A lovely review Colleen.
Massive Hugs
Thanks so much, David. It’s lovely to see you. ❤️
And you Colleen.
Hugs\
Huge hugs back to you! <3
Thank you, David.
Great review, Colleen 🙂 This does interest me, I couldn’t find a Kindle edition. I will check back.
There is no Kindle copy only a paperback and hardback. The photos and poetry are very moving. ❤️
Thanks for letting me know. Poetry does work better in books. Xo
I think the issue was the photos. It’s really difficult to get the same impact on our Kindle as you would in a print book. <3
I’ve seen that happen and the pictures aren’t the same on the kindle and hard to see.
Yes, I had trouble with the journal and the haiga. I don’t think I would include that form again for those very reasons. <3
Hi Denise. Thank you.
I haven’t done a digital version. The thought of trying to tame so many images for digital was a bit much for me, and no guarantee they would end as an acceptable representation.
If you’re interested, I have a number of youTube readings posted.
Thanks again.
Frank, I wish I had known that! I would have sent folks to your blog. <3
No probs, Colleen. I’m delighted with what you’ve done with your review.
For what it is worth, here is the link tot he playlist. You might enjoy a listen:
Thanks, Frank. ❤️
An excellent review of an intriguing book. 💜
Thanks, Willow. It’s another perspective of a horrible war. Frank’s poetry is very meaningful. ❤️
Yes indeed it is 😌
Thank you, Willow.
A fabulous review of Frank’s book, Colleen. I have it and am planning to savour it over my holiday.
Robbie, with your love of history, you will instantly connect with these photos and poetry. It’s an emotional read. ❤️
I know I will enjoy it.
<3 😀
Hey Robbie. Thank you. I hope you enjoy the book, though I always feel that is not quite the right word.
I know what you mean, Frank.
I think the right word is appreciate.
An amazing book and agree entirely with your review Colleen…congratulations to Frank for another recommendation♥
Thanks, Sally. Frank’s poetry is often inspired by photos. This was a lovely collection. ❤️
I agree Colleen.. stunning and heartrending. I enjoy his collections very much.. ♥
I do too, Sally. They are all great reads. <3
Hi Sally. Thank you.
Pleasure Frank. xx
Great review and such an important and moving subject. Congratulations to Frank.
Thanks, Olga. It was good for me to get the perspective from another part of the world concerning WWI. His poetry was deeply emotional. ❤️
Thank you, Olga.
Lovely review Colleen, sounds like a nice book. Wishing Frank great success.
Thanks, Balroop. He does a great job with this book. <3
Balroop, Thank you so much.
Thanks for the review 🙂
Frank, continued success!!
Thanks so much, Jules. I like Frank’s creativity. 😍
Cheers, Jules. Thank you.
Colleen, Thank you so much for a wonderful review of Sheep On The Somme. I’m so glad you enjoyed the work. Those images are very transportive, I think, and affect me at a glance, even now, after working with them.
I’ll reblog the review over to my place, to share with a few more folk. Maybe get them fired up a little over syllabic poetry!
Frank
Thanks, Frank. I noticed how your own poetry has evolved into short thoughts… I like it. After the beginning of the year, I intend on interviewing poets on wordcraftpoetry.com to talk about their writing and poetic styles. I’ll email you when I get my next book finished. <3
That would be lovely, Colleen, and I’ll look forward to it.
I’ve just finished work on 2 collections that have been demanding time, but I think I will attempt to create my next book-form collection out of 17 syllable poems. I’ll make sure to get a copy to you if and when!
Yes! Absolutely! And I look forward to it! ❤️
Reblogged this on Frank Prem Poetry and commented:
My thanks to Colleen Cheseboro for her wonderful new review of Sheep On The Somme.
It is quite marvelous to realise that a piece of work – a labour of love for the author – resonates and affects others. Readers from all over. It is humbling and gratifying and inspiring all in a single breath.
Colleen is a fine practitioner and proponent of syllabic and short poetry as well as being inclined to the faerie and the fey.
I recommend a visit over to her place to read this and other reviews and to peek around to see the treasures for yourself.
Thank you so much, Frank. I enjoyed your poetry and the images… Wow. Such emotion in their eyes. <3
My pleasure.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on Frank’s book, Colleen. I have seen it a couple of other places with equally wonderful reviews. I think it needs to be added to my TBR list!
Thank you, Jan. I’ve been blessed with some very powerful reviews for this work. I feel very fortunate to have such support.
Hope you enjoy the book if you get to read it.
Jan, that’s wonderful. Frank will be thrilled. It’s only available in paperback and hardback. I know the photos are so hard to deal with in Kindle. It’s deeply moving. <3