#Poetryreadathon – Poetry, poetry everywhere Part 1

I have recently launched a book of poetry, together with fellow South African, Kim Blades. In celebration of this achievement which I have been working on for the past five years, I have decided to host a Poetry Readathon on my blog starting on 1 December 2018 and ending on 15 January 2019.

Part 1 of the Poetry Readathon will comprise of reading and reviewing poetry books. I have selected eight books below for you to choose from if you would like to participate.  You can link to my post and I will share your review on my blog and to my Facebook poetry sharing page as well as other social media.

Part 2 of the Poetry Readathon will comprise posts introducing you to some of the poetry bloggers who don’t have books but who write wonderful poetry and share it on their blogs. If you are a poetry blogger and would like to join in the fun, please let me know in the comments below and I will contact you.

Part 3 of the Poetry Readathon will be re-sharing some of the lovely poetry books I have read over the past 18 months and sharing a bit about the authors and/or promoters of those books. These poets/promoters include:

Christopher Graham who blogs here: https://thestoryreadingapeblog.com/

Sue Vincent who blogs here: https://scvincent.com/

Christy Birmingham who blogs here: https://whenwomeninspire.com/

Natalie Ducey who blogs here: https://natalieducey.com/

Ritu Bhathal who blogs here: https://butismileanyway.com/

I have chosen the following seven poetry collections to review for the Poetry Readathon and would love my fellow bloggers to join in by reviewing any of the books listed.

Fairy Myths & Magic by Colleen Chesebro

Colleen blogs here: https://colleenchesebro.com/

Blurb

Step into a world where fairies, dragons, and other magical beings converge in a collection of poetry and short stories inspired by the celebration of Litha, the Summer Solstice.

Meet Drac, a dragon cursed by his own poisonous deeds, and two pixies who help an old man remember a lost love. You’ll meet a pair of fairies with a sense of humor, and a young girl who fulfills her destiny after being struck by lightning. Learn what happens when a modern witch’s spell goes terribly wrong. Meet the Sisters of the Fey, a group of Slavic Witches who sign a pact with the Rusalki Fey to preserve their magic for the good of all.

Atmospheric and haunting, the prose and poetry, will rewrite the mythologies of the past bringing them into the future.

You can purchase Fairy Myths & Magic here:

Songs of Heartstrings by Miriam Hurdle

Miriam blogs here: https://theshowersofblessings.com/

Blurb

Human being has the will power to travel through an exhausting journey, win a tough battle, and heal a deep wound. Strength from hope keeps us going until the light at the end of the tunnel is in sight and striving until the storm is over.

Hurdle in her poetry collection includes themes of personal experiences in nature, difficult relationship, cancer treatment, marriage, parenthood, remembrance, reflection and inspiration. She reveals the honest self-talk and reflects a heart filled with optimism, faith and trust. She loves music, photography and watercolor painting and includes photos and paintings to complement the poems.

You can purchase Songs of Heartstrings here:

Summer Magic by Marcia Meara

Marcia blogs here: https://marciamearawrites.com/

Blurb

Summer Magic: Poems of Life & Love is a collection of contemporary poetry about exactly that–life and love. The first part of the book features poems about the magic a young boy discovers while camping in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The second part of the book has a sampling of poetry about love, life and death, autumn, and dreams coming true.

You can purchase Summer Magic here:

Lost in the labyrinth of my mind by Kevin Morris

Kevin blogs here:

Blurb

A collection of poems about nature, love, and life in general.

You can purchase Lost in the labyrinth of my mind here:

 

Passages and Paths by Dorinda Duclos

Dorinda blogs here:

Blurb

In ‘A Journey of Life through Poetry’, Dorinda invites you to join her, as the wonder and awe of the Earth inspires her, bringing her visions to you through her poetry. Experience the setting sun, share in the challenges and victories of life, await the new day, and find yourself lost in the lush forest trees, as you join her on her journey, through Passages and Paths.

Sublime Shadows Of Life by Balroop Singh

Balroop blogs here:

Blurb

Sublime Shadows of Life is a comment on life, its turbulent curves and relationships. It envisions people through the prism of poetry. I, you, he, we and they are universal symbols which highlight the fact that happiness is not a destination but a chasm to bury agony, anguish, grief, distress and move on! No sea of solitude is so deep that it can drown us. Sometimes aspirations are trampled upon, the boulders of exploitation and discrimination may block your path but those who tread on undeterred are always successful.

You can purchase Sublime Shadows of Life here:

A haiku perspective 2018 by Annette Rochelle Aben

Annette blogs here:

Blurb

Take a look at life and it’s miraculous energy presented using the format of traditional Japanese Haiku. You’ll smile, laugh out loud and may even find yourself getting a little teary eyed as you journey through a year in the life of a poet. The author’s observations are woven together with wit, wisdom and will leave you wanting more. A Haiku Perspective 2018 is a book of inspiring, relatable poetry for people ages 12 and better.

You can purchase A haiku perspective 2018 here:

Open a new door by Robbie Cheadle and Kim Blades

Our new book of poetry, Open a new door, will also form part of the Poetry Readathon.

Blurb

Open a New Door is a poetic peep into the lives of the poets, Kim Blades and Robbie Cheadle, both of whom live in South Africa.

The book is divided into four categories: God bless Africa, God bless my family and friends, God bless me and God bless corporates and work. Each part is sub-divided into the good, the bad and the ugly of the two poets’ experiences, presented in rhyming verse, free-style, haiku and tanka, in each of these categories and include colourful depictions of their thoughts and emotions.

The purpose of this book of poetry is encapsulated in the following tanka and haiku poems:
What drives me to write?
To share my innermost thoughts
The answer is clear
It’s my personal attempt
To make some sense of this world.

Inspiration blossoms
Like the unfurling petals
Of the Desert Rose

You can purchase Open a new door here: