This collection contains both long and short poems, mostly free verse separated in four categories; Poems at Play, Celebration of Craft, Finding a Place, and Poetry of Conscience. This 50 page collection contains a total of 24 original poems. Entertaining and thought provoking read aloud or on the page.
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By A. F. Stewart
Oct 15, 2009
Author Gretchen Lee Bourquin manages to write a contemporary and intimate slice of life in this book of poetry, The Long and Short of It. The Long and Short of It consists of twenty-five poems that the author divides into four categories: Poems at Play, a selection of graceful and whimsical verses; A Celebration of Craft, insightful poetry into the skill of writing and the muse; Finding a Place, a variety of introspective poems; and Poetry of Conscience, a commentary on different societal conditions. Ms. Bourquin has a strong voice, a straightforward style and thankfully, does not indulge in overly fluffy prose. She knows how to capture a visual image, and reinforce it with emotional impact. In the poem “Permission” she pens: “She wraps herself inside her flannel tomb to ward off chills that rival winter's breath. She wonders how she'll dare to grant herself a chance to move outside her inner shell, and pull herself from self-inflicted death.” One poem in particular I enjoyed was... More > her “Casey at the Bat” sequel, “Casey in the Dugout.” Not only was it an amusing comment on the original poem, but I believe it holds satiric significance for today’s game of baseball. She writes: “Once the field was emptied and the crowd had been dispersed, Casey's loyal fans did yell at him and tell him he's the worst The once compliant baseball fans became an angry mob And those who'd begged for autographs, now called the man a slob” The author knows how to paint an effective portrait in verse, while quietly weaving in her unique view of the world. Her poetry is a gentle vista of the everyday. The Long and Short of It has no extraordinary, philosophical musings, but does offer quiet observations, intermingling with a few perceptive opinions.< Less
