I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Author Anne Leigh Parrish follows up on her acclaimed debut poetry collection with a sequel that delves into what it means to be alive in this complex world of ours in the book “If the Sky Won’t Have Me”. 

The Synopsis

The poems in If The Sky Won’t Have Me weave a brilliant tapestry of the human condition, focusing on nature, the female experience, family drama, aging, politics, and regret. Images of water feature strongly, as do rebirth and regeneration, both physical and spiritual. A perfect sequel to the author’s debut collection, the moon won’t be dared, these poems expand and deepen our understanding of what it means to be alive in a complex world.

The Review

This was the perfect collection of poems and simple yet empowering artwork. The author does an incredible job of capturing the imagination and the emotion that poems are meant to evoke, and the way each poem is able to really impact the author in a specific way allowed the song-like quality of each poem’s structure to really become melodic in nature.

To me, the heart of the book rested in the reliance on nature and morality as both conversation starters and imagery. The emotion and sparks of insight that each of these poems stirs within the reader help to elevate the almost narrative approach to the poems themselves. For instance, my favorite poem in this collection for me was “Like a Shade of Dawn”, and the way this spoke to me about the desire for change, for leaving behind the past and embracing the coming of the dawn was powerfully felt and utilized the nature motif expertly.

The Verdict

Moving, passionately written, and engaging, author Anne Leigh Parrish’s “If the Sky Won’t Have Me” is a must-read poetry collection. The heart and thoughtfulness of each poem will speak to the quiet yet contemplative voice within us all, the empowering way the book speaks to women in particular, and the need to look at how people embrace life in this modern world of ours through the use of nature and morality will really stay with the reader long after the book ends. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

Anne Leigh Parrish is the author of nine previously published books: A Winter Night (Unsolicited Press 2021); What Nell Dreams, a novella & stories (Unsolicited Press, 2020); Maggie’s Ruse, a novel, (Unsolicited Press, 2017); The Amendment, a novel (Unsolicited Press, 2017); Women Within, a novel (Black Rose Writing, 2017); By the Wayside, stories (Unsolicited Press, 2017); What Is Found, What Is Lost, a novel (She Writes Press, 2014); Our Love Could Light The World, stories (She Writes Press, 2013); and All The Roads That Lead From Home, stories (Press 53, 2011). Visit her website.

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