Title: Poems of Life, From the Heart
Author: Mitchell England
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 978-1-4990-3214-7
Pages: 126
Genre: Fiction-Poetry
Reviewed by: Christa Hill
Pacific Book Review
Poems are a very elegant way to express a feeling, an experience or a desire; Poems of Life, From the Heart combines many poems and musings that the author puts together in a very rhythmic way. Each poem has a title that suggests its moral or main idea. Some are romantic, while others are religious, each attempting to evoke a response from the reader. Most of the poems are short and succinct bringing the reader to the point without much fanfare. The author Mitchell England seems to possess a very easy sense of humor and youthful style.
Some of the poems seem to have a racial connotation, but even in that the author does not choose to explore these topics further. While written in the same style some of the poems seem unrelated and disconnected making the book incongruent at times even though they are linked together in the pages of the completion. The poem title “Something that We Do” is a truly sweet poem that provides sensible truth without a mention of God, making it much more relatable.
The experience of reading Poems of Life was generally pleasant and a quick read, England might consider using this book as an intro to poetry guide as many young people have not had the benefit of reading, or hearing poetry read, to easily engage with the sweeping prose that are well known in the genre.
The poems are quick to read and thought stimulating; the sections that hark back to biblical references are slightly overdone and nugatory. Perhaps as a child’s book of poems this would be perfect many of the themes are wholesome and easily understood. The lack of vulgar language or passionate symbolisms makes it easier for juvenile minds to follow. Overall, anyone who wants poetry to make them think should check out, Poems of Life, From the Heart by Mitchell England!
