I received this book free in return for a review. The three stars should really be three and a half stars.

I’m not at all a poetry buff, and this review reflects my own absolutely subjective views on this collection of poems.

I must confess I had difficulty in understanding many of eLPy’s offerings, and I am not saying that this was due to any lack on her part. In some way or other I felt that her poems were too strong/forceful for me. I felt that many others would probably appreciate the poems, but that I was just not “on her wave-length”, though I do agree with the essence of her messages/creations so far as I understand them.

I didn’t find the collection an easy read, since the poems are quite deep and need some study and digestion.

eLPy tackles various subjects in this her debut collection. She begins with a eulogy to her late brother, Jake.

“Now there is a gap in time and space
Where you have found the wind
Or perhaps the something of
Nothingness that surrounds us”

I am absolutely in synch with eLPy’s ethics and choice of themes, for instance, her wish that animals be treated humanely and that attention be drawn to the opposite – slaughter of dolphins, trade/neglect of parrots.

eLPy is an original poet, as can be seen not only from her name, but by the way she distributes/arranges her words on the paper, and her inclusion of photos interspersed in the text, though some of the poems on a coloured background are not easy to make out.

I like her poem, “Magic”:

“I would be keeping secrets
If I did not tell you
that I have seen God work.

I would be selfish
If I did not share with you
that he’s trying to talk to you
As he has me.”

eLPy expresses her views strongly and pushes us to think about what we do.:

“Let me take life
So that I may live mine
As I please.
I will do
What I punish you for
Because it benefits me.
I will punish you
For trying to live
As you see fit
For then,
There will be room for me.”

(From her poem “Hypocrisy”)

So, if you like poetry, then give this new, original poet a try, and see if you resonate with her work. ( )

This was my first time reading a poetry book. This book is very unique and I’m glad I received this book to review. It has poems as well as poepics (poems with pictures) that I really like a lot. The pictures are gorgeous and beautiful and I enjoyed reading all the poems very much. The poems were beautifully written. Some poems are emotional while some are inspirational for me. These are some of my favorites: Pieces, Magic, The Gem That Was Will Always Be, To Be Wise, Disguised By Blue Sky, and Once Raveled. I loved them and I will definitely reread it once again in the near future. I will recommend this to any one who likes poetry or to who want to try poetry. It’s worth your time because you will get a lot out of this books.

This was such an inspirational set of full length poems. It is beautifully written and includes very thought-provoking poems. I loved the fact there was a lot of space to add connotations and write down other ideas etc. I'm so very glad I received it, although you do have to be in a particular type of mood to read these poems. The physical copy of the book is stunning and looks very professional, it's soft and has wonderful images too. Reading these poems is such a therapeutic experience and will help you wind down from a long hard working day. ( )