Thank you NetGalley and Red Hen Press for the ARC of Laing Rikkers’ lovely book “Morning Leaves.”
I thought this was a beautiful book, though I would hesitate to call it poetry. It gave me more of an impression of being a collection of affirmations, which I do not think took away from the overall message of the book. Two pieces in particular struck me with the overall feel and imagery. “Plum Tree” and “Dogwood,” while not haikus, carry the same essence of those spare verses, the same graceful manner. One verse resonated quite deeply: “The breaks and stretch marks heal and scar, but they are still there. I know where they are.”
“Black-Eyed Susan” is especially pertinent to women’s experiences everywhere: “You thought you could keep me down by/ covering me with inches of concrete. / I will crack your confidence and rise up/ right through the middle of your nonsense.” Well said, indeed. From “Cantaloupe: “I may appear dull. / There is nothing to prepare you for the splash/ of color, light, and love you will discover within.”
The artwork by Kelly Leahy Radding is exquisite. Her illustrations bring to mind Edith Holden’s “Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady.” Really, this is a lovely book, very enjoyable.