Keepers

Keepers has beautiful poetry that inspires and draws on images, experiences, and reflections. The work clearly displays an artistic talent. Enjoyable verses!

This is a lovely collection of poetry from Irish poet Orna Ross. I hadn't come across her poetry before, and I found much to enjoy. The poems are mainly free verse, with the occasional rhyme. They cover a wide range of topics including nature, love, history, the art of writing, autobiographical (I assume), childhood memories, reflections, new perspectives on Irish blessings, and thoughts about the deeper meaning of life. I misunderstood the subtitle of the book. I thought 'Inspirational' meant that this would be a collection of Christian poetry, but it was inspirational in the broader sense. Some poems do touch on religion, but in more subtle ways.

There were some lovely images (e.g. 'gift of rain-fractured light'; 'our city wakens under the silver sheet wrapped around it'). All of the poems were of a good standard, but like any poetry collection, some grabbed me more than others. I loved the layers in 'Surfacing' as a woman comes to realise that another's life was not hers to save ('our arms encircled round your wound'). 'Lost and Found', inspired by Alice Walker's Book 'Overcoming Speechlessness' was poignant and confronting. It tells the story of Generose, a woman who experienced barbarity at the hands of soldiers who came to her village. The poet reflects on what the story means for all of us ('that we all might recall what we've been taught, so well, to forget'). I also loved 'Truth to Tell' where the poet goes to a retreat at a place once inhabited by nuns and reflects on her own Catholic schooling: 'Still the story stands, on more than rod, or rule, or cross, passing on the all that whispers always: wind to leaf, sap to skin, ever on and back again, so that tonight, I'll lie down in my nun's room, imagining her way, knowing how it came to end is how mine must begin.'

As I had the Kindle version of this book, some of the nuances in the setting out of the poems were probably lost. Sometimes the visual fall of lines and verses in a poem can help with the general impression.

Overall, I enjoyed this collection and will look for more from this poet.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing a free electronic copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really like this one since it mostly talks about some issues in real life. I'm still remembering some parts of the books until today. Highly recommended if you're a big fan of poetry books. Please check this one out. :))

A beautiful poetry collection that evokes lovely images. Ross does a great job of bringing emotion and memories to life through her words. Each poem flows into the next, like a gently babbling brook, carrying you along through the pages. Great for poetry lovers!