Title: The Greater Collection
Author: David P. Cresap
Publisher: Xlibris
ISBN: 978-1503591479
Pages: 144
Genre: Poetry
Reviewer: Reyan Boris Mishra
Pacific Book Review
Hands down, The Greater Collection is an extraordinary one. The first few pages are enough to put a light smile on the reader’s face. A sense of simplicity, love, and naturalness oozes out of all but every poem in this special collection. The special factor that makes this book stand out is its ability to bring the readers closer to their roots and reality.
The Greater Collection is based on the poet David P. Cresap’s 60 years’ worth of experience with family, friends, and a multitude of emotions – not just the ones that cheer, but also those that hurt and expose one to the harsh side of life. “I have written as a result of thoughts, situations, and emotions that I have experienced,” writes the poet about the collection.
At first blush, the book might appear to be a feel-good read meant to uplift the spirits, but as you read deeper, you begin realizing it’s a poetic summary of the most important aspects of life. Simply put, it’s a guide to understanding ideas that often go unnoticed in the daily hustle of life. If we talk about the writing style, the tone is quite simple and straightforward, unlike complex poetry that requires readers to read between the lines. There are various rhyme schemes used throughout the collection and as a result, some of these are quite easy to remember.
As mentioned earlier, the true beauty of the collection lies in the sense of originality and innocence that is palpable as you hop from one poem to another. However, some of these poems in the collection have a ring similar to that experienced in Wordsworth’s poems about nature. Probably that’s the result of the similarity the poet shares with William Wordsworth in terms of love for close observation of nature and emotions.
The Greater Collection is a must-read no matter your reading preferences. Even those who are into a theme that is polar opposite would likely be able to draw joy out of it. Whether you are a long-time poetry enthusiast or a newcomer, this collection promises to resonate, provoke thought, and inspire. Cresap’s voice is one that deserves to be heard, and his poetry is a testament to the enduring power of words. As a result, I highly recommend you give this book a shot if your reading desk is empty at the moment.
