Title: The Growth of a Girl to the Wisdom of a Woman
Author: Stephanie Olivia Bell
Publisher: XlibrisAU
ISBN: 978-1-5245-7553-3
Pages: 122
Genre: Poetry
Reviewed by: CC Thomas
Pacific Book Review
In The Growth of a Girl to the Wisdom of a Woman author and poet Stephanie Olivia Bell has detailed her personal growth and translated the emotions into a book of poetry. Some of the poems are rhyming and some are free form. All of her work is conversational in tone and accessible to any reader. The prose relies heavily on sensory language and musical elements and the reader will feel like Bell’s friend and confidant prior to the first section of the book is over. While each entry is a bit different, all are uniquely candid and the personality of the author comes through loud and clear.
Bell’s book is divided into three different sections. The first section, “In Love, Young and Hopeful,” consists of a series of love poems. They encompass the full range of love, from the first blush of being in love to the confidence and excitement of being in a committed relationship. The poems have a sense of luxuriating in a love returned. These, though, are not all puppy love and innocence. Many are erotic in nature. This isn’t a first, immature love and bumbling poems about the forever types of love. Instead, they follow the life of a full love, starting as a beautiful and innocent beginning. Then,the reader has no choice but to read, helplessly watching as that love starts to be questioned. Then, the obvious breakup and heartbreak will be all too real for anyone who has ever had a love unrequited. My favorite poem in this section is “Longing”, equates the feelings of passion to an insatiable thirst, which can never be quenched. Emotion is in each carefully chosen word and crafted line in a way that is sensually satisfying.
The book isn’t all about love, though. The second section is called “Understanding Nature” and deals with the author’s emotional etchings about the beauty of the natural world. The extended personification of “My Moon” shows a unique, yet common, perspective. This paradox makes perfect sense to those who love poetry—looking at common experiences we all have, in uncommon ways. The poems are succinct and focus on just that moment in time, allowing readers to draw a collective and relaxing breath imagining the real glimpse into the beauty we often take for granted in our mad rush through society.
Bell’s last section, “Faith and Wisdom” is the most personal. This section details stories from the author’s own life and her personal growth and relationship in faith. These, naturally, are not as sensory-filled, but many are more narrative poems. Poetry that tells a story with characters and events are always so spellbinding and Bell paints a clear picture with her words.
Reading Bell’s work will give a reader a sense of relaxation, even though many of the included poems are heavy on emotion and sensory details. Some approach the sensory overload level, but are enjoyable nevertheless. The poems are thoughtful and introspective and will cause readers to remember similar experiences, as well as hope for moments such as those described. I would recommend this book to all who enjoy poetry from a variety of poets, as I will definitely re-read this again in the future to enjoy afresh the sensations I just experienced.
