Cobalt Skies review by Matthew Elmore

 

What makes people read poetry? Is it to express an emotion that they long to find a voice for… or perhaps to find answers to questions they have never asked? Charlene Phare does this and so much more in “Cobalt Skies”, her most recent vision from Wheelsong books.

“Cobalt Skies” represents a reflection of the author’s vivid imagination through many vibrant filters of nature, magic, emotion, sensuality, and wistful wonder. The presentation of an illuminating foreword by brilliant poet Sarfraz Ahmed carries the sail for a beautiful launch into the book.

The prevailing sense of almost celebratory revelation becomes evident as Charlene casts her magical rippling phrases in such brilliant poems as “From The Darkness Came The Light” and “Inner Peace”. Yet she also obfuscates hidden hurts so ironically in works such as “Born Lucky” “Stormy Waters” and “Self Preservation”.

The extensive palette from which Charlene works is one of experience, consistency, and most of all, a most shimmeringly sincere love of people. I once posted a rather tragic poem, to which she messaged me to ask me if I was alright. I have never before or since experienced anything like it, and I have been writing for years. I will never forget that. She genuinely cares about people, which makes them genuinely care about her.

Charlene is not only a poet, but also a group moderator, ambassador for Wheelsong Books, and editor extraordinaire on the past two extraordinary Wheelsong Anthologies. She has a Phare flair for spotting and encouraging poetic talent, which becomes understandable by observing the richness of her textured verse.

Just like her photography, Charlene’s themes and colorful perspectives vary from picture to picture. Forms dance from the very succinct to long form introspections… almost always ending with concise imagery related to the titles of the poems. Her style allows the reader to not only enjoy the joy of expression… but also to dive deeper into layers of contemplations dreamed into a relatable reality by her words.

Take this opening from “Summer Days” for example: 

Snow capped mountains on summer days

Melting moments, drifting away

Glorious sunshine breaking through

Cobalt skies, a brilliant hue

Charlene uses her surroundings to majestically manifest emotions into singing poems that are well worth the price of admission, and then some. Upon completing the end of her book, the only complaint I could possibly have had is that it ended there. I wanted her vision to never end, and once you read “Cobalt Skies”, I honestly believe you will too.

Matt Elmore

You can purchase your copy of Cobalt Skies by Charlene Phare at the Wheelsong Books website.