Review of 2024: Part Three

Autumn of 2024 was busier than ever for Wheelsong Books. This is part 3 in our review of the year. Part one can be read at this link and part two can be viewed here.

August

As August began, Wheelsong's next publication was released. It was Storming Oblivion by the mercurial New York poet Peter Rivers. This book was Peter's first full collection of published poetry and it certainly caused a small storm with its moody cover design and extraordinary poetry. 

Writing about his debut collection, Peter says:

This collection represents a journey through my own expression, recognizing the potential value within my own voice. Storming Oblivion will present tales of love, loss, fear, doubt, feelings that lack reciprocity and more. Travel with me on my road to self-discovery as I share the deepest parts of my soul with you in my quest for self-acceptance.

September

As the summer drew to a close and the leaves began to change colour, Wheelsong Books published an amazing collection of poetry titled Stealing Fire.  Written by Irish poet Tyrone M. Warren, Stealing Fire is a radical departure from much of Wheelsong's previous offerings. Tyrone is a poet with a difference. He speaks from his own experience about a number of challenging issues including domestic abuse, urban alienation and addiction. His writing is visceral, stream of consciousness style and it utterly captures your attention. Tyrone lived in London for many years but recently made his home in the idyllic Cornish countryside.

He says about his own writing craft:

It’s been a hard graft starting from scratch again and I feel a sincere gratitude to have had this opportunity like God heard my heart and I had the clarity to see and read the signs.

October

The much awaited Wheelsong Poetry Anthology 5 was published as Autumn decended. Edited by myself, with able assistance from Brandon Adam Haven and Charlene Phare, WSPA5 features poetry from all six continents, and has become just as popular as all its previous siblings. The cover art is a photo I took from street level of skyscrapers in Manhattan while working in New York in 2015. 

Containing poems in many styles and diverse themes, WSPA5 is an excellent addition to anyone's poetry collection, and features a number of new poets previously unpublished. 

As ever, sales of every book contribute to Wheelsong's charity donations, with more than £6,500 ($8,100) so far being given to Save the Children to help feed, provide health care and educate children in crisis. Wheelsong will continue to create these books for as long as there is an audience to read them. 

November

The final book of 2024 was published in November and it was quite a pleasant surprise to many poetry fans. Circus of Circles by young Irish poet Aoife Cunningham caused quite a stir, not only due to its fiercely vibrant cover art, but also because of the way the book created a new dimension for Aoife's dynamic and powerful spoken word performances. 

Much of her work in the book derives from personal mental struggles and dark, painful places, as well as life in a lage Irish family, but as ever it is all delivered with her inimitable wit and humour. Aoife presents her art with grace and style, always infused with the unmistakeable culture and charm of the Emerald Isle. 

We hope to hear a lot more from this talented young poet in the coming years. 

December

In the final month of the year Invisible Poets reached the significant milestone of 50,000 members. Less than 2 years old, the group thrives from a range of activities including several regular live shows from the UK, USA, Brazil and other countries, energising experimental poetry exercises and engaging writing challenges, many of which yield a diverse range of poems and creative works shared on the site. 

To celebrate reaching 50,000, Wheelsong has created a special T-Shirt which presents the slogan 'Poetry Against Poverty'. Needless to say, every sale raises a fair amount of money to support children in crisis across the globe. In the new year, Wheelsong has plans to establish an online store selling a range of merchandising that will further support Save the Children. Watch out for announcements on the group sites!

Previous parts of this annual review are available:

Review of 2024 (Part One)

Review of 2024 (Part Two)

Steve Wheeler

Try A Triolet!

It’s not always easy to find inspiration to write poetry. 

Writing is just part of it. There can be devices, terms, forms to consider, and appropriate content to juxtapose in creating something unique. Articles in this blog suggest plenty of these, and I encourage you to seek them all!

It’s not that hard though. Pick a path and go for a walk to see where your mind takes you. 

Triolets are most likely the easiest form to incorporate into your poetry tool belt. However, don’t be fooled… there is a trick to it!

A triolet is a one stanza poem of eight lines with a rhyme scheme of ABAAABAB. The first, fourth, and seventh lines are repeated, as well as the second and eighth lines, making the last couple lines repeat the first couple lines.

Consider this triolet from fellow Wheelsong author and triolet queen Charlene Phare from her book Cobalt Skies entitled Drowning In Flowers!

Mother Nature surrounds

Still drowning in flowers

Silently thoughts compound 

Mother Nature surrounds

Enriched soil in the ground

Delicate rain, showers

Mother Nature surrounds

Still drowning in flowers

The trick to the triolet is making the repeating lines function to accentuate those lines that do not repeat… propping up a central theme. 

This poem’s theme could suggest a loved one being buried, or even suffocating under one’s “natural” ideals. Either way, despite “Mother Nature”s presence, peaceful thoughts, rain, and rich nourishment… there is still a drowning taking place, irregardless of the beauty Mother Nature provides. There is pain here that suggests a number of possibilities.

Triolets can be comical, satirical, or poetic. There is a craft about these poems, a way to weave seams of meaning to create a small tapestry of potent verse, as Ms. Phare has done in her triolet above.

Give it a shot! Try a triolet! It may surprise you what you come up with.

Matt Elmore

The poet in the green hoodie

The very first image used to promote Invisible Poets was a guy in a black hoodie, crouching down on a the track of a railway bridge. It was meant to depict anonymity. We used this for some time to promote the Facebook poetry group. More recently, as we approach our first birthday, we've had a bit of a revamp. The poet in the green hoodie is perhaps, more striking an image. And it's versatile, because the green poet pops up everywhere in a variety of scenarios. It's an ironic statement on the back of an ironic idea. Meta irony, if you will...

Invisible Poets was a title Charlene Phare and I dreamed up when we set up the group in early February 2023. We didn't expect it to grow into a community of more than 25,000 members, but we did aim at trying to make those poets who felt they were 'anonymous' and unrecognised into more visible artists. To achieve this, we decided to offer opportunities on Invisible that could not be found elsewhere. 

There is now a Live Poets Society show 3 times a week, from the UK, USA and South Africa, which seeks to showcase the very best in poetry from postings exclusively inside the group. We seek not only to read out the best poems, but to perform them. The shows attract hundreds of viewers. 

A group blog was set up to promote ideas about poetry, and to support poets as they develop their craft. The blog features news and views, and a large percentage of the posts are dedicated to poetic devices and forms and how to use them. This is a form of mentoring for those who choose to read the blog, and it offers free education to anyone in the group, or indeed elsewhere in the poetrysphere.

Finally, in collaboration with Wheelsong Books, we have produced several anthologies to raise the profile of poets, enable many to achieve their first publications, and through a rigorous peer review system ensure that every poem that is published has gone through the checks and balances to be certified as great poetry.

The green hoodie poet will be seen more and more as time goes by, and as the reach and influence of Invisible Poets extends out across the poetry world.

Steve Wheeler 

Invisible Poets Anthology

Just so you know... Invisible Poets is celebrating its first birthday this week. The Facebook poetry group, which at the time or writing has over 25,000 members, was set up by Charlene Phare and Steve Wheeler on February 11, 2023. It has grown exponentially thanks to the marvellous Admin and Moderator team has remained safe, active and vibrant. 

To mark the first anniversary, the first Invisible Poets Anthology has been published - in paperback, hardcover and Kindle editions. We chose 350 poems to feature in the book. The selection process was quite rigorous, so the poems you read when you open the pages will be some of the best that currently exist on Facebook poetry groups. That's quite a bold claim, but I don't make it blithely. Here's the process...

First, only poems that have featured on one of the Live Poets Society shows were considered. To be performed on the show in the first place, a poem must stand out, be unique and have an emotional impact on the hosts who select the poems each week. The poems in the list are all special in their own ways. Secondly, from this list of more than 800 poems, only the best of the best of these were selected to be included in the book. The anthology poems are diverse in style, and eclectic in their subject matter. There is literally something for everyone in the anthology.

What is even better is this... for every book sold, whether from Amazon, or from one of the online stores such as Waterstones (UK), Barnes and Noble (USA) or direct from Wheelsong Books, a worldwide charity called Save the Children will receive the same donation. This is for children caught up in disaster areas or war zones. Save the Children provide food, medicine and medical care, clothing and shelter and education opportunities for children in crisis. Wheelsong Books has been proud to be associated with the charity for the last 2 years. 

So, this anthology is not only jammed packed full of wonderful, insipiring poetry in its 300 pages, it is also doing some good for little ones who are in desperate need. What is stopping you from buying one or more copies of this beautiful book?

Steve Wheeler

Image copyright by Wheelsong Books

Behind The Scenes: Live Poets Society

Steve Wheeler’s Live Poets Society has become quite a hit on Facebook, and continues to draw a bigger audience each week. I have hosted a few shows, my favorites with fellow poet colleague and friend Brandon Adam Haven. Brandon being at the helm has given the show even more of a boost with his fluid talent and extensive, yet humble, expertise.

Together, we currently tackle the duties of putting on a quality video poetry broadcast for Invisible Poets, Steve’s show being the flagship of Live Poets Society. Steve named to title as a tongue in cheek nod to the Dead Poets Society movie with Robin Williams. 

Fellow Wheelsong author and alumni Charlene Phare has also enjoyed quite a following with her “No Holds Barred” program of similar tone and content. We can’t wait to see her at it again soon!

Reading of the poems lies within “performing” them… giving them all breath and life… with inflections on key words. 

Reading poems is only a small part of the effort to make this kind of show possible. It is the selection of poems that makes the job a challenge. It starts with allowing for a negligible size, format, and content as Steve pointed out in his last blog. Should you have an interest in being on the show you MUST  check it out in this link… 

 https://wheelsongbooks.blogspot.com/2024/01/how-to-get-your-poem-read-on-live-poets.html?m=1

Promoting the best poets is what we do… only next level poems make it on the show. With the growing number of Invisible Poets Group memebrs on Facebook, we’ve found that it takes two shows to do all the poets justice. I don’t believe any other group that I know of is doing two shows a week of this magnitude on social media. Invisible Poets is becoming a premiere poetry group!

Incorporating humor is also an essential element of this particular show… as Steve has his occasional “cleaners” dropping in… or poet dog barking up a soliloquy. For Brandon and I, it is our rap names of BDizzle and Big Stack, or aliens behind me, or whatever is happening around us. We love to be silly and serious both. It gives the show wings. 

I personally believe if the show is a joy to host, which it really is, then it will be a joy to watch, which it has been for poets and poetry admirers both. 

Please join Brandon and I live on Tuesdays at 8 PM UK & 3 PM USA Eastern Standard time… and catch the mothership with Steve on Fridays at the same respective times. Join us and hear quality poetry done up right.

Matt Elmore

Wheelsong Books Review of 2023

2023 has been an amazing year for Wheelsong Books. I established the company in 2020 during the early months of the pandemic, basically for something to do. I set it up as a not-for-profit company to promote new and emerging voices in poetry, and also to raise much needed funds for Save the Children - a global relief charity. 

What did Wheelsong do in 2023? 

January saw the publication of the first book in the Symphoniya de Toska trilogy by American writer Marten Hoyle. Its January 19th publication coincided with the birthday of one of his favourite poets, Edgar Allen Poe. Marten's second publication was released on April 9th, the birthday of Charles Baudelaire, and the final instalment was published to coincide with the birthday of another of Marten's favourite dark writers, H. P. Lovecraft, on August 20th. How's that for symbolism?

In late February, together with my good friend Charlene Phare the Facebook group Invisible Poets was launched. The name was an ironic swipe at the fact that most poets go unnoticed and uncelebrated even though they may actually be quite brilliant (and in many cases better than those who are well-known, highly visible, published poets. The group quickly flourished, and now, at the time of writing this post, has reached 15,000 members. 

Also in February, Tunisian bard Rafik Romdhani released his third book, Vapour of the Mind through the Wheelsong Books label. As in previous books, Rafik excels in the use of rich imagery, metaphor and awesome insights into his life in North Africa. 

In March Wheelsong Books announced the call for poems for Wheelsong Poetry Anthology 2. The anthology was published in April with a stunning cover photograph (courtesy of Kerry Cole) and sold quite nicely, raising around £450 ($565) for Save the Children. As with all Wheelsong Books, it is still available on Amazon and other online outlets worldwide. In the same month I published a book called Nocturne, which featured a lot of poetry about the night, sleep and dreams, and darkness. 

In June, Matt Elmore's first poetry collection, the sublime Constellation Road was published and this was followed closely in July by Imelda Garcia's debut collection Beyond the Pyre for Wheelsong. Both books contain some stratospheric poetry, and both deserve a wide readership for their brilliance. 

September saw the publication of Wheelsong Poetry Anthology 3, which featured a stunning image by photographer Lynda Clifton. Containing over 200 poems from more than 100 poets, Anthology 3 has already sold 400 copies and continues to be available. We have so far donated £750 ($940) to Save the Children for their relief initiatives from the sales of this book.

December saw the publication of Brandon Adam Haven's second poetry book, This Broken Home, which is a darkly gothic collection of somewhat disturbing poetry and horror flash fiction. If you intend to read this book alone, I strongly advise you to keep all your lights on. 

We also relaunched Live Poets Society, which now goes out live twice each week, on Friday at 8pm (UK time) and on Tuesday at 3pm (US Eastern time). Viewing numbers have been on the increase, which this shows a healthy interest in the spoken word and live performance poetry.

The Wheelsong Books blog was also launched in the summer, with regular posts about poetry from me, alongside Matt Elmore, Brandon Adam Haven and Charlene Phare, alongside guest posts. It has so far attracted almost 30,000 views and there are some amazing, thought provoking posts on all aspects of poetry and creative writing. 

That was 2023. Let's raise a glass to the coming year and do our best to keep poetry remains alive and kicking. Wheelsong Books has a long list of publications waiting in the wings, including two more anthologies!

Steve Wheeler

The Invisible Poets Manifesto

Several people have asked me why Invisible Poets was set up. It happened in early March 2023, when along with Wheelsong Books ambassador Charlene Phare, I set up Invisible Poets as a public Facebook group. Within days, we had a hundred members, and within weeks it had become more than one thousand. Now growing at the rate of around 1000 each week, Invisible seems to have become one of the premier poetry groups on Facebook. The standard of poetry is high, and although there are issues to deal with (as in any large public Facebook group) there are plenty of positives to reflect on, and plenty of new initiatives to look forward to in 2024!

For those who don't yet know what we are about, and who are still asking why Invisible Poets was created, here is the Invisible Poets Manifesto in 6 key points:

1. Always give more than you take. You have a gift, which has been freely given to you. Now give back generously to others in return. 

2. Invisible Poets in an 'underground' movement. Don't try to seek fame or fortune. In poetry, you're unlikely to achieve either. Simply seek to leave the world in a better state than you found it. 

3. Use kind words to speak your truth. Kindness is more powerful than harshness, and speaks a deeper truth than animosity. 

4. Poetry has an eternal quality. Make sure the words you speak and write are worthy of being preserved long after you are gone. 

5. Reach out beyond your comfort zone to connect and collaborate with others. You may create something beautiful together you could never have achieved alone. 

6. No-one should ever be left behind. Our group is a family, and every member matters. Draw alongside those who may need your support. 

Steve Wheeler 

Founder of Invisible Poets and Wheelsong Books 

November 2023

Lost at sea?

 So you want to be a poet? Feeling lost at sea? 

Finding a starting point is never easy. We know that we have the ability to put pen to paper, yet how do we gain the confidence to publish it in the public domain? Which groups are supportive and encouraging? How come some people are more popular? How do you become popular?

Questions ... so many questions...

Let's tackle these issues one at a time…

Find a supportive group. Look for a warm and welcoming environment, where people greet you with friendliness from the outset.

Are people adding likes to the creations of others? If the answer is yes for the majority of the group, the group could be the one for you.

Are people commenting and interacting with each other and saying what they enjoyed about the masterpiece? That is a good way of gauging that the group is encouraging and inspiring everyone.

You need to put in the time to become popular, and read others' work. Doing so will provide you with inspiration while at the same time begin to build up your own network of fans and followers. On Facebook, the more you like and comment the work of others, the more people will seek out your work.

Groups have Administrative personnel who run the group and Moderators who ensure that the members are kept safe from scams and potential threats. Much of the work looks like it’s focused on the frontal part of the group, however there’s so much more that happens behind the scenes.

Here are the groups that Steve Wheeler and I work in as Admin. We work alongside other colleagues who we admire, because of their dedication and commitment to our projects.

Invisible poets

Wheelsong poetry 

Pure poetry

Charlene Phare 

Using copyright free images in poetry

OK, here's a follow up on Charlene Phare's excellent post about using images to complement your poetry. One thing that leaves me cold is when poets share an image on Facebook (other social media platforms are available) and don't bother to acknowledge the source. Some may write 'credit to the copyright owner' or 'thanks to Google' ... but this is simply lazy, and could end up in a lawsuit. 

Look, I'm not exaggerating. I have heard of people who have used copyright images and have later been successfully sued in court. Getty Images are one of the most active litigators in this area, but there have also been private individuals who have successfully sued those who use their copyrighted images without permission or acknowledgement.

Let's start with a fact: All images on the Internet are copyright (owned by someone) unless otherwise stated. That means if you use an image belonging to someone else without their permission, you are stealing their property. That means that you need to be very careful about the images you use to complement your poems. Some avoid using images altogether just to avoid this pitfall. Some would even argue that poets trade in words not images, but that's a debate for another time. Here's the bottom line: if you really must use an image, then please, please check to see if you need permission first. 

Charlene shared some free image sites in her previous post, which I have personally used, and there are many great copyright free images waiting there for you to choose from. Even if you do use copyright free images, there is usually a clause that says you still need to acknowledge the photographer or designer who owns them. Check out for example, Creative Commons (CC), which lays out several universally accepted rules for you to follow. 

But wait for it... here's probably the best and easiest method for obtaining copyright free images on the Web. Go to Google. Select images. Search for anything you wish (in the screen capture above I have searcher for Paris). The images it shows you are not copyright free. Now click on Usage Rights on the right side of the menu. The box that drops down gives you the option to select Creative Commons licences. Go there and every image Google displays next will be copyright free. Hint: Do check that the image you select is indeed licensed under CC before you use it. Sometimes a rogue image might be listed that is in fact copyrighted. 

I hope this short blogpost helps you to navigate the minefield of web images and photos. Keep writing, and ... don't get sued!

Steve Wheeler

Using Images to Complement Your Poetry

As poets, many elements inspire us. However, did you know that pictures are subject to copyright for the life of the picture? Using pictures from the internet can be an infringement, especially if you are using them for commercial use, such as attempting to create book covers. You will not only find the picture will be distorted, but you could find yourself with legal problems. I stay safe by using the links provided below, or I take my own pictures.  

I am inspired by the world around us. I listen to conversations whilst out and about. Also, have you ever tried listening to music as an inspiration? Just writing the first thing that enters your mind. It’s amazing how a piece of music can sound so different from all the other times you have heard it.

I hear you asking: What’s the difference between taking pictures from my phone or a camera? 

A camera gives you more definition. It will provide you with a higher resolution of at least 300 dpi. A mobile phone (even with super duper lenses and all whistles with bells) gives you just 72 dpi. That’s great for the internet, but when it comes to printing a large format image such as a book cover, you’ll want it to look the best.  

We all know how much effort we put into our writing process. It’s the same for photographers. They share their work that they have worked hard to create. I don’t mind anyone using my pictures, but if they are specifically copyrighted then it’s polite to ask for permission to use.

I also use official copyrights for my poetry, such as: ©️2023 Charlene Phare

This provides a way for you to track back to your original work, should you find yourself a victim of plagiarism.

Personally I use free resources to find images, Pixabay is a great place, I use the Copyright sign for my own photography.

I have used a little trick in the picture that accompanies this blog, see if you can spot what I did.

Free resources for inspiration: 

https://pixabay.com/

https://unsplash.com/

Image ©️ 2023 Charlene Phare photography

Invisible but not unheard

As I stated in my post from yesterday, every recent initiative I've been involved in is focused on raising the profiles of new and emerging voices in poetry. That's why back in April 2023, Charlene Phare and I created the Facebook group Invisible Poets. You may be just starting out, or you may have been writing poetry for years, and only now beginning to emerge, but Invisible Poets is for you. 

The name Invisible Poets is of course an ironic statement... there is nothing worse for a poet than to be ignored. We write because there is something on our heart we need to say. And we do so in a way that invests our creativity and emotions. That's what makes poetry so great. So Invisible Poets is just the opposite. It is designed to make poets and their art very visible indeed. We even feature the poetry of members in a live performance once every week on a Friday, at 1900 UK time. More on this in my next post!

In the few short weeks it has existed, Invisible Poets has quickly grown in size to almost 4,000 members. Many more (almost 20,000 non-members in the last 28 days) have visited to read poems, comment, like and watch videos. It's a rapidly growing and increasingly popular public platform that showcases poetry of all genres, from experienced and novice poets, and everything in between! Many people have remarked how wonderfully friendly and supported Invisible Poets is, and there's a reason for that! We have a zero tolerance policy for those who are rude or abusive, or those who post plagiarised (copied) poetry from others without acknowledging them, or scam and spam posts, or illegal and highly offensive content... and in many cases we remove those individuals from the group. 

Our growing team of moderators are there to do just that - keep members and their poetry safe from harm. So if you haven't already visited (or better yet, joined) the group - click on this link to Invisible Poets and see what we are all about. See you in the group!

Steve Wheeler

Beware the vanity press!

Many of my recent poetry initiatives have been focused on helping unheard poets to gain a voice, a platform, an audience...

Wheelsong Books for example, was founded on the principle that evry poet has a voice and that voice demands an audience. I deliberately set up the company to be not for profit. When authors come to me asking how much it costs to publish a book, I reply that there is no fee. 

I am both amazed and appalled at the number of publishers 'out there' that cynically exploit the heartfelt desire of a poet to be published. They charge large sums of cash to provide 'editing and publishing services' that are little short of a scam. The poor poet ends up splashing out their hard earned cash for very little. What do they receive in return? Often a poorly edited and shoddily designed book that sells just a few copies. They are left with boxes of books they have paid for, but no-one wants to buy.

Popularly, this is known as a vanity press. The people behind many of these schemes are often unfair and unprincipled. They exercise little or no quality control, and all and sundry can get to publish their work no matter how good or bad it may be. Facebook and the web are full of poets desperately advertising and plugging books that no-one is interested in buying. You should be wary of any publisher who asks you for money to publish your book!

Wheelsong Books is different. We will never charge a poet to have their work published. Instead, Wheelsong offers editing, design and copyrighting services for no cost to the poet. We even agree to give ten percent of the sales return on every copy sold to the poet as royalty payments as a standard publishing agreement. If the book does well, and sells many copies, then everyone is a winner. 

Everyone who is directly associated with Wheelsong Books works on a purely voluntary basis. Our small, but growing group of ambassadors helps to promote and market the efforts and publications of our poet family worldwide through social media, events and promotions. Each is chosen for their commitment and drive to helping make the enterprise a success for all. For example, our USA ambassador is Matt Elmore, and our UK ambassador is Charlene Phare.

If you are interested in publishing with Wheelsong Books, be assured that we will treat you with the respect you deserve. We will assess your poetry on its merits, and we will be totally honest with you about its quality, its viability as a commercial work, and any future efforts you might need to take to improve it. Any questions you may have about publishing with Wheelsong can be posted to the comments box below! The Wheelsong Books team looks forward to hearing from you.

All live Wheelsong publications can be found on the Wheelsong Books website.

Image from Pexels used under a Creative Commons licence

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.