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My Maine: Haiku Through the Seasons
by Bette Stevens
Copyright 2019.
What Amazon Says
Inspired by The Pine Tree State—Maine’s diverse landscape, natural beauty, rural communities, and independent people—the author’s 150 haiku poems, along with her photographs, reflect the Maine she knows and loves. Bette A. Stevens’s imagery draws the reader into her world of wonder and delight. My Maine takes readers on a poetic journey through Maine’s four seasons. Whether you’re a native Mainer or from away, Stevens’s short story poems and photographs will resonate. The collection opens with a haiku tribute, “Maine Pines and People.” The journey continues with the rejuvenating spirit of “Spring Awakenings” and “Summer Songs”; then on to more of the magic and majesty of the places and people of Maine in “Autumn Leaves” and “Winter Tales.” This is a poetry collection to be slowly savored, made even more delectable with the author’s original drawings and photographs. In addition to its poems and photographs, My Maine includes state symbols and interesting facts about The Pine Tree State.
My Thoughts
I like the way this book is divided into four parts, representing the four seasons. I couldn’t see the photographs, but the haiku contain plenty of imagery. I’m sure those who can see the pictures will find they accentuate the haiku.
The information about haiku at the beginning will be helpful to those unfamiliar with this poetry form. I found the facts about Maine at the end interesting. If you’re thinking about visiting Maine or possibly moving there, this book might be for you.
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New! Why Grandma Doesn’t Know Me
Copyright 2021 by Abbie Johnson Taylor.
Independently published with the help of DLD Books.
Sixteen-year-old Natalie’s grandmother, suffering from dementia and confined to a wheelchair, lives in a nursing home and rarely recognizes Natalie. But one Halloween night, she tells her a shocking secret that only she and Natalie’s mother know. Natalie is the product of a one-night stand between her mother, who is a college English teacher, and another professor.
After some research, Natalie learns that people with dementia often have vivid memories of past events. Still not wanting to believe what her grandmother has told her, she finds her biological father online. The resemblance between them is undeniable. Not knowing what else to do, she shows his photo and website to her parents.
Natalie realizes she has some growing up to do. Scared and confused, she reaches out to her biological father, and they start corresponding.
Her younger sister, Sarah, senses their parents’ marital difficulties. At Thanksgiving, when she has an opportunity to see Santa Claus, she asks him to bring them together again. Can the jolly old elf grant her request?
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What a good idea to do a collection of poems with the focus of a particular location. I bet YOU could do a fantastic collection about Wyoming. I always enjoy all of the poems you have shared that focus on some aspect of Wyoming. As I was driving across Wyoming on my way to California one summer day, I took a lot of notes and wrote a poem about the landscape and my impressions as I passed through the state. Most of all, I loved the tumbleweed, for I had never seen it before. I’d like to write more about my own little heaven-on-earth here in Western Pennsylvania, too.
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Hi, Lynda. I’m sure you could put together a collection of poems about your state. I’m not inspired to write poems about Wyoming’s nature, but I’m working on a collection of short stories set mostly in Wyoming. I’m calling it Living Vicariously in Wyoming. Thank you for your comment.
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