The Color of Dirt: poetry and flash fiction --by Giulio Magrini

 Word Association Publishers

September 2, 2022

ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1633854655

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1633854659

178 pages Paperback

$19.95 at time of this review

5 Stars

 

I had an opportunity to read an ARC of this book, and liked it tremendously, only to discover the author and his editor made many changes, so that gave me the reason to read the new and improved version when it came out.

 

Dirt seems an improbable subject for such a marvelous book of poetry and short prose pieces, but it all comes together, beautifully.

 

Magrini is an Italian American, and some of the poems are in Italian. I strongly urge the reader to read the Italian out loud before reading the English version. Do the best you can with the Italian. It is a beautiful language full of expression. Actually, all poetry should be read aloud, whether to an audience or yourself is your choice.

 

The book is in six sections i. Amore (Love), ii. Arte (Art), iii. Odiare (Hate), iv. Politica e Guerra (Politics and War), v. Sporco (Dirt) and vi. Famiglia e Relazioni (Family and Relationships).

 

Between the first poem, “Vince to Rachel Over the Fourth River in November,” we are introduced to a poet who writes what I call accessible poetry. It is accessible to any who read it, without having to hunt for, and define, the metaphors. “Every time // I love you // A flake of snow / Forms separate / Distinguishable //” and the last writing in the book, “The Color of Dirt Afterword” is humor, love, anger, loss, hope and yes, an admonition or two. “...Reject those who would sever you from your place. We have put our hands in the dirt and sanctified each other.”

 

Although Magrini has performed his poetry including “The Pittsburgher: A memorial for Richard Caliguiri, Mayor of Pittsburgh 1977-1988,” this is his first book, and I say it is about time for the rest of the world to read and enjoy this person and his works. 

The Brotherhood of the Wheel (Book 1 of 2) --by R. S. Belcher

Tor Books

2016

ISBN: 978-0-7653-8028-0 (hardcover)

ISBN: 978-1-4668-7153-0 (e-book)

416 pages

5 Stars

Having just finished the Golgotha Series (Books 1-4, 5 & 6 are not yet out) I decided I needed more, so picked up the Brotherhood of the Wheel series (2 books, so far). This book is a tad more modern than the Golgotha ones, and there was a point where I wasn’t sure I wanted to continue reading, and then I remembered not only is this fiction, it is urban fantasy fiction at its finest, so settled in for an enjoyable read.

 

The beginning seems a tad disjointed as we are introduced to the main characters, Jimmie Aussapile, long haul trucker; Lovina, a smart and savvy detective in New Orleans; and Heck Sinclair, a smart ass member of the Blue Jocks motorcycle club. There are, of course, other people to be introduced to, most nice, some notso. 

 

This is dark fantasy, but there is enough light in the tunnel to make it a worthwhile read for my eyes. Belcher knows how to write a dark scene, and he also knows how to throw light on it by the end of the book. And leave you wanting the next book. Which, fortunately, I have.

 

I love Knights Templar stories, and this has to be one of the all time bestest ever! If I may offer a work of advice: Buy both books, check into a hotel with room service, and spend a few days reading on your schedule, not family’s or boss’s. Take the book down to the hot tub, soak without the jets, and read. Read in bed, read on the floor, and don’t clothes the drapes when you go to bed. Leave the night light on. One never knows what those shadows really are.

If this document should survive —by Robin Wyatt Dunn

 John Ott

May 4, 2022

ASIN: B09ZKPDDD2

4028 KB

$1.00 at time of writing this review

ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1940830362

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1940830360

63 pages

$6.00 at time of writing this review

4 Stars

 

To be honest, I’m not sure what I read. I kept at it because the writing was such fun. The story, if there is one, is stream of conscious writing, with beauty in the words. It takes place in a large city in Arizona, though I kept trying to put it in Las Vegas. The protagonist works in a windowless office, beneath the city, and fancies himself in love, or maybe lust, with a woman who wears dead scorpions in her hair. 

 

It was an interesting story to read before turning the light out. I stretched it over 3 nights, and no nightmares; it is not a horror story, just weird and strange. This is the first story I’ve read by Mr. Dunn. I will try at least one other. As mentioned above, I’m not sure what I read, but the writing was enjoyable, hence the 4 stars instead of 3. Actually, if the writing hadn’t been as good as it is, I wouldn’t have finished it. 

 

Perhaps because it is a stand-alone short story, and not a full novel, there is no way to leave a review at either Amazon.com or Goodreads.com. I found that rather interesting, especially on the Amazon site.

corre y corre sin detenerte / run and run without stopping — by undocumented youth detained in Pierce County WA

 Nonfiction / poetry

Copyright by Collateral

www.collateraljournal.com

cost: $10.00

s/h $2.00

 

The young men, aged 13-17 years, were unaccompanied minors and living in the Selma Carson Home in Pierce County WA at the time of publication. Volunteer translators/interpreters helped facilitate some poetry workshops, and we are the beneficiary. The writers, identified only by one initial, had a range of education from no classroom or literacy background to middle- to high-school.

 

When told their poems would be published, smiles covered their faces. And well that news should make them smile. All twenty poems are given in Spanish and then English. They are all heartfelt and range from three-line poems to one that takes up most of two pages. A surprising (to me) number were written in English then translated into Spanish. And all are from the heart.

 

Topics range from Mom to home, the wind, lions, a bird, freedom. The book is 6” x 6”, holds 11 sheets, folded and saddle stapled. I hope you will go to the link, https://www.collateraljournal.com/community and buy a copy. It’s a marvelous piece of optimism and hope and love of life. It is well worth your time and money to have your own copy.