Book review of In the Shadow of Rainbows by Selma Martin!

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Book Reviews, Poetry

Dear Friends,

I introduced my wonderful friend, Selma Martin, in my prior post here, and spotlighted her debut poetry book. Today I am sharing my 5-star review. If you don’t have your copy in hand yet, I recommend you click on the link below to order yours!

And now for my review:

When I immersed myself into Selma Martin’s debut poetry book, I fell into a familiar place like I was relaxing on the sandy shore of the lake that my husband and I frequent each summer, absorbing the music and tranquility of nature. The essence of her poems drew me in, casting me under a spell, entranced by her lyrical words. I read this collection over a few evenings, savoring the experience like a sinfully delicious dessert, and rereading each poem. Selma’s lovely language portrays stunning imagery, beautifully expressing personal experiences. Shadows and rainbows find themselves sprinkled throughout, and the writing is superb with its soothing flow, cadence, and rhyme.

Selma’s special wish is for you to find your poem. A poem that resonates, the soft message flowing around in your heart and mind, embracing you like a welcomed hug. But as I read each beautiful piece then with each turn of a page, a sigh escaped, and I realized that finding one poem was impractical because there were so many that rang true with my experiences and emotions.

In “Extra” I am reminded of how precious it is to wake up to a new dawn:

To put the squanderer to rest
call forth the Sower of hope
and from within, bring out your best.

I revel in spending time outdoors, and Selma’s writing in “You Know Her” is brilliant:

Like clockwork, she steals over the horizon
and for a moment, hides between the blinds
Slowly she sluices me with her aura
And on my eyelashes, perches twined.

Her enchanting verses in “That Sea” captivate me:

Then you dwarf me with your magnificence
I smile, so fond of your temerity
But you gobble up my words the moment they’re spoken
and cunningly, you bid me close to wet my skirt.

“Nature’s Tender Doings” is absolutely delightful, and in “Poetry” – a most endearing poem, I am thoroughly entertained and charmed by the bees, squirrels, and birds. Changing subjects dramatically, I’d be lying if I said I never thought of death. With adult children and our 35th anniversary just around the corner, time passes quicker than I can flip the calendar page each month. But I don’t fear death; I’m just not ready for it, and Selma’s poem “When Death Comes” makes me pause…

When death comes
I don’t want to look back
lovelorn, empty, frightened
– Oh, no!
When death comes
I want to be led into eternity
curious, full of joy
knowing the world I leave
is better for the love I gave.

I definitely want the same, and I will remember this poignant reminder about love being the best gift of all.  

The empowering and unified motivation in “Enough” gives me goosebumps:

Forget tall fences. You want to feel
the sun on your face, the touch
of the wind, the melody of their
spoken language, of which only the
smile you understand. Together we
can create a life that ebbs and flows
like the tide that never competes or
berates the other for its ways. 

I could continue to enrich you with stunning samples of Selma’s exquisite poetry. But if I have to choose one poem that stirs emotions, it will be “Kindred” because this poem transports me back in time when my parents were alive, to the big family gatherings with them, my husband and children, and my sisters and their families. Moments filled with love, chatter, and laughter. Memories that slide into my mind now and then, warming my heart once again.

A verse from this touching poem:

For the rest of my days,
when December comes slip sliding
humble love memories I trace – decidedly December.
Daddy brought us white Christmases
to revel and boast,
and Mommy brought us Yuletide joy to last forever.

Truthfully, Selma’s entire collection is a gift that speaks to me in the most elegant and personal way. I highly recommend this beautiful collection for all poetry lovers who wish to be reminded of  the miracles of life. 

I hope you enjoyed my review!

Thanks so much for visiting today! ❤️❤️❤️

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved. 

 

56 thoughts on “Book review of In the Shadow of Rainbows by Selma Martin!”

    2. I know, right 🥹 wonderful! And I’m so happy to be the recipient of this honor. Thanks, Marina.

      ((BTW, I want to tell you something that exists in the book—these lines:

      “offspring of mine, my vast aquatic babe, from henceforth, I christen you ‘Marina’” — In The Shadow of Rainbows 😉 😉 You might choose this one as YOUR poem 👏🏽 perhaps 🤔))

      I just had to tell you this as your name is Marina 💗
      I bless you. XoXo

    2. Cheryl your words levitated me a notch higher to heaven. Thank you for saying what you said. And indeed I’m grateful for this exquisite review Lauren wrote of my book. Blessings to all. Xoxo

    1. Liz. Thanks again. I think this is why we crave reviews: to make others see/feel what’s in it for them based on how the reviewer experienced the words.
      Thanks for the support. Your words are lovely always. Xo

    1. Lauren’s words are gold. Thanks Carol for finding the words she quoted wonderful. It means the world to me to know you did. Blessings, Carol. 🤗

      Blessings to Lauren too. Xo 🤗

    1. Indeed they are fantastic. And from what I know of Lauren, I know these words are honest.
      Thanks, kind person for praising Lauren’s words for me too. I bless you. 🤗 💗

      Thanks again, Lauren. XoXo

Comments are closed.