Title: Poems from the Heart
Author: Armand Cannamela
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 978-1-5320-6261-2
Genre: Poetry
Pages: 52
Reviewed by: Barbara Miller

Read Book Review

Author and poet Armand Cannamela has assembled a collection of his poems in his book titled Poems from the Heart. In it is a group of just over 20 or so poems, some of which are only one sentence, making for this book to be paged in a short period of time; yet due to the thoughts revealed it has the impact of touching feelings which will take readers more time to ponder and digest.

There is an overall air of melancholy sadness which is conveyed throughout Cannamela’s work. The suffering of the loss of a child, the death of loved ones, betrayal of friendships all are brought to the readers’ attention resulting in pensive thoughts of how the author is coping with hardships. In a way, this would be a healing book for those who have suffered similar losses, as well as it being a healing process for the author. None of it is humorous, no witty puns nor smiling lyrics; just strength and fortitude for continuing life’s journey – although having the “speedbumps” of losses slow down happiness. Another observation is the lack of thankfulness to God and a higher spirit, making it more the world of humanity which plays out its hand dealing life’s hardships.

That said, the sensitivity of the poems brings to view original thoughts, which take a second or third reading to fully grasp the intent of the author. For example, in his poem titled “The Entrance,” he talks about, I believe, his wife walking into a room. It reads, “She brings a total change of atmosphere into a room when she enters. Perhaps it’s her natural beauty or the graceful manner in her walk. Nevertheless, she commands the attention she does not seek, And that makes it all so bewitching to observe.” This poem reminded me of the Eric Clapton song “Wonderful Tonight” in which “everyone turns to see, this beautiful lady, walking in with me.” Surely the pride a man has when his lovely wife is admired is a feeling of poetic appreciation which can be trumpeted in many forms. In “Life’s Born,” Cannamela writes about the newborn baby emerging from the security of its mother’s womb, getting spanked (pain) and forever brought into the world of life. In his poem, the leaving of the womb seems to be a loss for the child, but I see it at the start of an adventure, and never looking back. In a reflective way, thinking how my thoughts differ with the poet is good, as that is one of the ways poetry expands our own thinking.

Poems from the Heart, being such a short book, makes it ideal for many reading opportunities where time is short and may be interrupted, such as while traveling or waiting for an appointment. It is a book which can and should be read many times, with varying intervals of time in between each reading – each time will surely open up new thoughts and memories.