Although a poet may not be conscious of pigeon-holing him or herself it is surprising how often and inadvertently one returns to a theme, maybe because it has a consequence unresolved or a significance which penetrates deep into the workings of the mind. Certainly, in these collections there is a revisiting of ground, perhaps with a different perspective or desired outcome, but nevertheless abundantly traceable, I thought a categorisation of subject areas might prick at the susceptibilities of one reader or other, so it is with this in mind that the ‘top ten’ have been noted and expanded upon with an example … and occasionally two! Other examples will no doubt be neatly compartmentalised as the collections are browsed through.
The inanimate
Our relationship with objects and their importance to not only our daily lives but sense of peace and belonging is rarely elaborated upon, and yet such relationship can be both a source of comfort and a channel for our creativity, even be it on a mundane level.
Mortality or not
The often- considered but rarely-understood plight of the human existence is fertile ground for the poet, but is the subject one to despair about or one to take comfort from.
Shades of love
Many are the shades of love and many the obsessions and occasionally we even speak of joys. A recognition of who we are, how fragile we are, and how consumed we can be is but an attempt at a starting point. The subject merits several examples of different shades, and even then the coverage is sketchy when considering the never-ending vastness of the topic.
Season impact
4 seasons and a thousand effects on the human spirit. A life without seasons must be lacking I say to myself, but understanding where I stand is of different import, and after all I am one who finds the autumn of great romantic charge and the spring a little turgid in nature.
Depth of humanity
A title more often than not construed in a negative sense but at times going to the ‘depths of humanity’ can give us the highs we need to change something in ourselves and perhaps ignite a change in others.
Air of mysticism
Air of mysticism: In our silent reflective moments it is likely we drift to a consideration of what lies beyond and what our very breath signifies, what our body seeks to emulate, and what our mind strives to understand.
Beyond a tale
Poetry at times develops into a tale, even a short story compounded in a few short paragraphs and the outcome, the final ending may not be of amazing impact, but the meaning can go well beyond.
Mother nature
Yes, she really does speak to us, at times and it is for we not to ignore her words and reflect on our place in the greater scheme of things, for nature will always have its day.
World of wonder
To wander and to wonder is to live life to the full, to push one’s mind to greater enquiry is satisfaction pure, and when embellished by the craft of others or the revelations of the world it is pure nourishment for our daily lives.
A thousand and one reflections
Excuse the title to this category but it is the final one and important to attract the reader’s attention. It is a reference no more or less to reflections we have and whether they are clear and throw light, or vague and leave us groping for direction.