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Harbored in the Turn by Charles Thompson

This short collection of whimsical poetry focuses on life's little moments through the lens of nature. With beautiful imagery, Thompson manages to illustrate relatable and endearing thoughts about relationships, and the connection between ourselves and nature. There's an element of regret to many of his works, which highlight our disconnection from the most natural elements around us.


While I do wish Thompson had added some variety to this rhyme scheme (every poem follows ABAB CDCD), I appreciated his explanation of the use of rhyme in the introduction of his book. He notes that one of his all time favorite poets is Robert Frost (also one of mine), who famously wrote with a consistent rhyme scheme. I think that using a uniform rhythm and rhyme scheme helps with the continuity and flow of the collection, but would like to see how the author could incorporate meaning in his works through more variety.


Furthermore, my favorite parts of this collection were the poems which really focused in on specific life moments, rather than on a broader idea or concept. I think the parallels which Thompson made between nature and technology, love, and harmony are worthy topics, but would have been more effective if given through the perspective of his personal experience. To me, poetry should always focus in rather than focusing out as it is generally a very personalized form of expression.


There were several parts of this body that I loved. The greatest attribute of this collection is by far the imagery. Throughout his works, Thompson personifies elements of nature in charming ways. One of the first poems in his book, Sweet Dreams, is a perfect example of this clever turning of phrases:



"Take away the sun
In what direction do we spin.
Take away the moon,
Wipe away its sheepish grin.
Take the luster from the stars,
Facet them upon a ring.
These jewels our soul's engagement,
That makes a small heart sing."

From the sheepish grin of the moon to the luster of the stars, Thompson's words dance sweetly across the page in a familiar cadence. The image of faceting the stars upon a ring is particularly striking, and exemplifies the shine of an individual's soul.


Another part of Thompson's poetry that I found especially endearing were the moments when he delivers poetry reminiscent of a children's nursery rhyme, with simple observations about the realities of life everyone faces, such as the poem Worries Come in Bunches:


"Worries come in bunches,
They thrive on dreary days.
They gather gloom, like stormy clouds,
That chase the sun away."

Perhaps the most effective poems in the collection, however, are ones which shine a light on the small, reflective moments we have in everyday life, which are all too often forgotten or tossed aside as small. When My Child Smiles Up at Me is a great example of the poet focusing in on a precious micro-moment, one that is all too relatable for any person with a special connection to a child. There are moments in the bustle of life that we do sometimes stop and consider the overwhelming love we have for those around us, and Thompson's poetry illuminates these special times in the very way in which poetry is meant to: with beauty and lasting effect.


My favorite poem in the collection is another instance in which Thompson manages to catch the nostalgia and magic of a small moment in time. I Never Loved Her More explores the highs and lows of a relationship, but more importantly, illustrates how sometimes we realize how strong our love is in the toughest moments. To me, this is the most poignant of Thompson's pieces; the juxtaposition of the hurt and struggle of a relationship combined with the epiphany that love carries on and pierces through this struggle is a beautiful and salt-of-the-earth sentiment. In this poem, Thompson writes:


"With a spell of recent hard times,
And the threat of straights[.]
She rallied to the rescue,
Saved the day by working late.
That night I saw her standing proud,
Exhausted at the door.
It was then I came to realize,
I never loved her more."

Overall, Thompson's use of personification and imagery are effective, and his use of a consistent rhyme scheme makes his work flow more easily. Many of his poems are poignant and touching, and all of them have a very strong use of imagery through nature.


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