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My Review of "First Kiss" a Book of Poetry by Barbara Alfaro

4/13/2012

3 Comments

 
Picture
This book of poems might have never made it. It could have been thwarted by a disbelieving second grade teacher who accused the author, then a little girl, of plagiarizing a poem she wrote for an assignment. Or it could have been stifled by an education that strongly discouraged any desire for recognition. But thankfully for us, Barbara found her way. “First Kiss” is her first e-book of poems some of which were available previously in her print book “Singing Magic.”

This e-book is a collection of 24 poems that cover a diverse number of topics, and the author weaves them all dexterously into a pleasing multicolored tapestry. There are poems about family and friends, and about the hardships and rewards of love and growing up (including that “First Kiss”). There are poems inspired by photographs, and beds, and sculptures, and others that just celebrate everyday life in all its glory.

Many of the poems are surprisingly simple but yet very effective in delivering their meaning such as “Carnival Music” and “Spinning.” Other poems including “K-Street,” “Castle Cats,” or “Jewels on Her Hat” resemble snapshots of frozen time. But the ones I enjoyed the most were poems like “Oddly American”, “Afterlife” or “Before Dark”. They have layers within layers, and as you peel the layers metaphors spin out and soar in every direction. My personal favorite is “A Child’s Poem,” which is in part about that incident with the second grade teacher, but it goes much deeper. You finish reading this poem and the last words resonate like an echo inside your head.

The book is well written and formatted. The cover art by Michele Bulatovic is superb. The table of contents allows for easy navigation among the poems, and the links all work. Barbara in the introduction quotes President John Adams telling his son that he will never be alone with a poet (book of poems) in his pocket. If that is so, make sure you include Barbara’s “First Kiss” in yours!


                                     ***

You can also read Barbara's guest post on my blog here.

3 Comments
Claire link
4/14/2012 10:16:49 am

Barbara, you write with such enthusiam about poetry, it makes me feel slightly envious that I have no talent for them. I know very little about poetry and it is not something I understand or even really like to read. I did enjoy your First Kiss poem though and shall look forward to reading the rest and see if you can convert me! I always enjoy your writing though.

Reply
Barbara Alfaro link
4/14/2012 12:47:13 pm

Hi Claire, Thanks so much for commenting. I think what often happens is students get bombarded with "terribly serious" and "meaningful" poems and so, understandably, there is not much interest later on. I'm going to think of some poems I love that have a real sense of playfulness and send them to you.

Reply
Rolando link
4/14/2012 11:02:45 pm

Thank you for your comment Claire and for your observation Barbara. We need more teachers to teach poetry like Mr. Keating in the movie "Dead Poet's Society" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkpWk8FJsys

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