I review: THE ARTIST’S HOUSE, a gift of poetry and art from Rachel Dacus.

Where to begin. Reviewers often toss off words like amazing, stunning, a jewel to purchase and keep. Well…yes to all being true for this collection of poetry and art…and much much more.

Rachel’s drawing of a wise and imperious owl fills a page opposite her book dedication, that reads: To my Teachers, and the artists who give all for love, and show me the newest way to be.  

Rachel has divided this lovely book into sections: Portraiture, Traveling with the Elders, Poetry Club, and Awakening on a Dark Road.

THE BEGINNING

I was honored when Rachel sent me this work, asking me to write a review. Though I majored in English Literature in college, poetry has always been more difficult for me. Even early on, the brevity of some poems tricked me into thinking, that can’t be so difficult, a few lines, some rhyme, give it a try.

But I came to realize, that those elements make poetry even more concentrated, more challenging than prose. Creating poetry is intense work, brain work, something I struggled with. In college, I admit to taking a poetry class, thinking…ah yes, an easy A. I was so wrong. Brevity with meaning is a task that outweighs long paragraphs filled with stunning word choices. Thus I believe …

Rachel Dacus is an amazing poet, choosing her words to explore ideas…every poem a gift that touches, informs and shines.

Her Table of Contents has four sections.

The first is PORTRAITURE, from which the following two poems speak of joy and sorrow in life and in art.

RESCUED AGAIN After Cezanne, Still Life with Apples,  First stanza

Surrounded by banks of roses

practicing for their second bloom,

again I’ve been recused. I had a hard start,

but the crab apples plummet with audible plop

onto the lush lawn. Rosy pearls

of transformation always at hand

if I simply remember the steps.

Once recused, always recused.

I GET OVER MYSELF   Rachel writes: After Twyla Tharp’s ballet “In the Upper Room”

Well I did it. Like the cow that jumped

his moon shot, I got this body over

my old shape of personality and slipped out

while I wasn’t watching. I gave up

habits and found it freeing to be fluid.

Each day I awake nearly boneless.

A stumble can become a twirl,

and crying is as easy as swimming

With Hawaiian sea turtles.

Other Sections listed in Rachel’s Table of Contents are: Traveling with Elders, Poetry Club, and Awakening on a Dark Road.

Rachel is also an artist, the pages of this lovely book filled with her white and black sketches, and even a scattering of colorful photos.

IN  CONCLUSION 

I have also chosen a few of my favorite lines of poetry to inspire you, entice you to purchase this creative work. Rachel’s black and white drawings and her POETRY ON ART AND LOVE are a gift to you. I truly cannot say enough about this lovely book, or show you what is awaiting you when you open to the first page.  Thanks for reading.