Baring the soul through poetry in review by Karl Vernon

BOOK REVIEW: FUSION OF THE MINDS: AN ANTHOLOGY OF INSPIRATIONAL POEMS
AUTHORS: Suzette Shaw Reid and Somara Newman
REVIEWED BY: KARL VERNON

I write about passion.
People’s goals and self-esteem
Making verbal their emotion,Bringing to life their hopes and dreams

Why do people write, for what purpose? That was the rhetorical question I had in mind but the above verse from Somara Newman’s The Writer’ puts it to bed and now you know what drives people to write!It is an often a misused cliché or saying that ostriches bury their heads in the sand when afraid.

I am here to say they do so to listen to the predators who come rumbling along.Amidst the volatility of life, the recession of fortune, poetry is soothing for the soul and in this case, there is no need to bury one’s head to either run away or listen because it is up in he open, for all to see.Perusing the different poems, one is brought under the blue tablecloth of a sky looking up at the wonder of words and the direction they take.Poetry is no different from songs, the only difference is that poetry is set to music and made into song!

The power of the written word inspires, heals and brings joy. Fusion Of The Minds: An Anthology of Inspirational Poems takes off along that often neglected pathway and has provided a concretized image. Themes such as Justice, Greed. Love, Passion, Friendship all rise like a waft of sweetness entering he consciousness.

Written by both Suzette Shaw Reid and Somara Newman, their contributions stir the sensibilities, and adds a potent zephyr of fresh poetry on the bare naked Jamaican landscape. The book of poetry is an easy read. The language is simple and it buries not itself into deep gnosis.
The book of poems is divided into four sections Reality (18) Motivation, (11) Tributes, (21) Love and Christmas (11). There are sixty one poems and all of them bear a striking reality to what we all face in our daily travails.Who remember the first winner of Digicel’s Rising Stars? There is a tribute to Cavan in the form of ‘The Journey Of A Rising Star’ Suzette Reid hails his triumphin a lovely piece.‘Your talents did not go unnoticedAnd thus you were given a second chance.

Armed with the determination that there is Nothing training cannot do.
You morphed from a singer with diction problems To a comparable Donny Heathway’ Somara Newman’s ‘Happy Anniversary’ is a cinch. For all the lovers, this poem is one for all seasons. It is forthright, petite with its sexy compliments and it complements the bond that lovers have. Here is a verse which pierces the mind.‘Your beauty has no limit. I dare any man not to stare.

Just exactly how you do it?I’ve been asking year after year’ Somara, I wish I had coined those words. They are bound with love, appreciation, character and respect….all components of a deeper love which so many of us feel for another. Thanks much!Sometimes I fall short with adjectives in describing things but when this happens, I now I am in the shadow of something good.. something well done!Suzette Shaw Reid’s passion is poetry She has garnered many prizes in her career thus far. In 2003, she placed third in The Gleaner’s Mother’s day competition and in 2004, she copped the top prize in the Grace remittances Valentine’s Day . Recently, she has been a finalist in the WisPA Creative Writing competition in 2007.

Poetry flows through her blood and she goes on from strength to strength. Somara Newman, a native of May Pen, Clarendon. His inspiration comes from Bob Marley and Buju Banton. Themes of black pride ‘African Pride’ Trial Of The Black Race and Freedom (Somara Newman) bring home the need for love of self and to bleach away the mental negativity which many of us feed upon.Suzette Shaw Reid’s ‘Di Foundation Of Ooman’ brings a smile to my face.

I love the Jamaican harsh pronunciation of woman! Sweet! This is one for the sisters and one
which us men should read in appreciation and highlighting the achievement of our women!I could go on and on but the flowing words of both of these talented poets will keep flowing. These words are the water to our parched minds and I swim amongst them.I say Hip Hip to both Suzette and Somara and say thanks my dear poets for moulding the Fusion Of The Minds to inspire!

Author Profile

karlvernon

I specialise in media and public relations. I am experienced in subediting, pagination, feature writing. I promote Jamaica's true gems - our people, skills, culture and more that makes us unique among the world's finest. I graduated from the University of the West Indies. Here are my thoughts. Enjoy, share! Link me here or or here

Latest entries

• Jamaica Literary WorksFebruary 24, 2013BOOK REVIEW: Jamaica Mi Paradise – idyllic and savoury
• One culture from manyNovember 8, 2012Planting the ‘impoortation’ seed in Jamaica
• One culture from manyNovember 6, 2012No rampin! Dancehall, a product of reggae
• One culture from manyNovember 4, 2012We need ‘Ole Time Jamaica’ for success