savannah_neeley

This is an exceptional volume of poems by Leokadia Durmaj. Starting with the wonderful acknowledgement to her parents, she sets the stage with excellent words of love and compassion for the reader to enjoy. As a cancer survivor, she demonstrates through poetry that positive thoughts and love is able to overcome negative actions against the mind, body and soul. Her words are truly a blessing on which readers are able to meditate, while inviting love into their hearts with a joyful smile upon reading her poems. Beginning with “My Angel My Love,” her articulation in this poem reflects the magical dance one finds in love, especially while dancing under the stars as a fulfillment of wonderful dreams. “A Letter to You My Love,” will hold the reader spellbound with the captivating words she enunciates. Unbeknown to her this poem would one day hold a very special meaning. A wonderful man had entered her life, and has become a significant part that was once only a thought and now evolves in the poetic life. The reader will also find memorable and symbolic images expressing pleasure in this poem of enchantment. Several of her poems are also written to poetic friends with words of gratitude and compassion in appreciation of their support. Leokadia certainly has not forgotten those who have helped her along the way. She renders great tribute to her medical practitioners with several wonderful poetic pieces. “A Tribute To Doctors” is an excellent dedication to the medical care she received from those who helped her to fight and erase cancer from her life. Her testimony of living another day as a result of their care, speaks highly of their help and is very uplifting to the medical profession. Her special tribute to Doctor Bradbury, a most outstanding and dedicated doctor, is very enlightening. She verbalizes how her thoughts of death were put aside because of the wonderful care she received from her doctors, and how God was with her during such devastating periods of her life while undergoing cancer treatment. “My Dear Dad,” is a very special and heartfelt poem dedicated to her father, from Poland, who was a POW in Germany. She speaks of the pain he endured and how she migrated to Australia in 1950, with her parents, after the liberation of the POW camps during World War II. In Australia, they began a new life, in a new place, as free people, where she was able to watch television for the first time. “My Special Mum” is penned as a poem of dedication to her dear mother, from Poland, who worked tirelessly to keep the family well, and in good health, while striving with special love and care in her heart. Leokadia’s heart is missing a vital part without their presence; however, she knows that they are always watching over her. Keeping God in her heart, she professes that angels are always with her and they are protecting her under their wings. Surrendering everything to their care is her daily duty, as they keep watch over her, and constantly help her to always maintain a smile of love in her heart, as she continue to give praises to God. Such love has held a relationship together with her Polish friend Krys of 52 years, which she highlights in the poem “Friendship.” “In Loving Memory” is dedicated to, Adolek Serafin, her only brother for whom she cared until his last breath. His illness was a result of Agent Orange in Vietnam, thus causing him to suffer from Leukemia. She missed him dearly, and also felt his presence with her during her cancer treatment. He was the only one who ever pulled her hair as act of endearment. Raising her three sons is a heartfelt reflection of the love she has for her brother and her parents, which represents the progress they have achieved in Australia as a family. This book also has a special string of beautiful haiku and senryu poems. Her thought on paradise which she articulates in these poems are excellent and addresses special moments. The “Pleasure of the Heart” series of senryu poems regarding Camelot are elegant, especially in the way her expression of gentleness relaxes the mind with her words. Her “Season Haiku Series” addressing the changes throughout the year will bring a smile to the face of the reader while experiencing the blessing each season brings as reflected in these poems. She ends the book with a most wonderful poem, “Fly With Me.” The word of the first stanza “On the wings of a dove” reminds me of a beautiful song from Jamaica, “If I had the wings of a dove, I would fly away and be at rest.” However, the scent of love she enunciates in the poem would have a lingering effect stemming from the tranquility, humility, and serenity of her words and thoughts. This is truly an awesome accomplishment and an excellent book of poems to read. Leokadia has really penned a wonderful volume of poems for all readers of poetry to take note. This book is a great poetic learning tool of how to deal with emotional turmoil, grief of loss, and looking forward to a new day with a smiling face. More on Leokadia and her wonderful poetic words are located at Soul Asylum Poetry and Publishing. www.soulasylumpoetry.com. Review submitted by “The Epulaeryu Master.”

2023-02-11 03:24