Cats, Coffee, and Comfort
Eric Chandler is a former F-16 fighter pilot. He endured three deployments to Iraq and one deployment to Afghanistan. Eric offers us that higher view of our earth bound lives. His gift of focusing on what is important to know, what is best to ignore, and what is important to share, is given to us poem by poem. This is Eric Chandler’s first book of poetry. Bravo Zulu.
Middle West Press LLC. 2017. 106 pages.
This collection of war poetry by Randy Brown leverages both humor and haiku. The author does his best to demystify the process and jargon of war. The broken places in my own mind are stronger and calmer now that I’ve read this book of war poetry. Thank you, Randy Brown.
Middle West Press LLC. 2015. 81 pages.
I recently purchased the 60th Anniversary edition of Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury’s masterpiece. This trade paperback edition contains additional materials about the author and his writings. The novel itself is 158 pages. This book is a gift from the past, and a warning to all of us about the future. Ray Bradbury remarked that he had written a book about the future, and he often spent his time trying to prevent it. Cherish people. Cherish books.
Simon & Schuster Paperbacks. 2013. 249 pages.
The poetry of Catherine Clark-Sayles allows us intimate access into two parts of her life – her daily practice of medicine and her observations as a skilled poet. Dr. Clark-Sayles’s book of poetry begins with her mil-brat childhood, progresses to her time at medical school, continues with her daily acts of practicing medicine, and ends with her and her patients coping with death. Death rounds out the four corners of this excellent first book of poetry.
Tebot Bach. 2008. 61 pages.
The dew is still on the windowpane, the hot vapor of your coffee warms you, the first few sips begin to wake you more. You look out at the world, not yet engaged with the activities of the day, mind clear of strife and worry.
If only the whole day could be like this, you mutter. Perhaps you’ll open a book and read a bit, just to prolong the moment. There are authors that will give you a view through another window, a look into their life and experiences. Sit a while, let the cat curl up in your lap. It’s a quiet time to read.
We’ll bring you some people to read in future posts, in reviews and interviews.
Welcome to Cross Creek Cats.