The Sacred Calendar

The Sacred Calendar: Twenty Poems Inspired by the Cholq'ij –by Ralph-Michael Chiaia

Poetry

62 pages / 1160 KB

5 Stars

Let us get the legalities out of the way first—I received a complimentary copy of The Sacred Calendar from the author, a man heretofore unknown to me, and was asked to read and review it. With hesitation, I accepted, knowing if I thought it sucked bilgewater, I would return it and not review it.

I did not return it. In fact, I am buying a hard copy for my poetry collection.

Chiaia has written 20 poems, inspired by his time in South and Central America. These poems are beautifully executed, and held together by an expert weaver's use of warp and weft and yet, if you were to cut those threads of continuity, each poem would stand alone in it's own beauty.

Chiaia knows words, and how to use them, weave them, sing them, into tapestries never before seen or heard. Yes, heard. We read with our ears, and in this case, the poems should be read aloud. (Actually, all poetry should be read aloud, but most people are to shy to sit and read poetry to their cat!) At the end of the poems, which came too soon for my taste, he shows us the glyphs for each day, and explains their meaning. That alone makes the book worthwhile, even if you happen not to like poetry.

These poems are like poems I've never read. They evoke memories of sights I've never seen, perfumes I've never smelled, voices I've never heard. You will leave the comfort of your living room to enter the marvelous World of Chiaia. The trip is a head rush and one you will enjoy the rest of your life.

Buy this book. Read this book. Enjoy this book. Oh, and review this book.