Hello everyone! The purpose of this journal entry is to inform you of a poetry collection I recently read, entitled 'Shards' and written by a deviantART member William Barker. William was kind enough to send me a copy from the other side of the world and after giving the book a thorough read, I am sincerely glad that he did.
'Shards', in the truest sense of the term, is a journey in literature. Written over the course of three or so years, William grants the reader an intimate view into his poetic growth and development, a process which is visible throughout the course of this outstanding piece of work as the poems document his understanding of the world of words and make us privy to the heart of a poet.
William's work is, I am unafraid to say with no exaggeration, spectacular. It has been a long time since I have read a contemporary poet whose work has appealed instantly to me and has caused me to gravitate immediately towards his style and subject matter. 'Shards' fantastically combines a world of pure grandeur and imagination with the most intricate, minute and mundane aspects of everyday life with a talent that is nothing short of admirable. William writes with a style that fans of Plath and Bukowski will adore and has a wordmanship that treats words with a delicacy that appreciates the true power behind each syllable. If Mark Twain's argument is true and that "the difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.", then I can honestly say that William Barker carries a thousand tempests in his wake.
Diversity is one thing that this book is most definitely not short on. The poems within stretch from cummings-esque masterpieces to extended ballads with subject matters that range from the beauty of nature to the heart of poetry itself. Poems with the most metaphysical of language are a page turn away from those with simple and accessible vocabulary, every word chosen with care to address the idea perfectly. The poems in this collection are in no way short of individuality, and while the entire piece has a recognisable overarching style, each one stands alone as a true work of art. If you feel the need for a poetic awakening, pick this book up. William even spends one poem on the idea behind e-books, and does so in a way that would make you never want to touch one again.
William is at his best when he commentates on the very nature of artistry and forces the reader to reflect on their own desires and intentions as a writer. 'Standing On The Shoulders Of Giants', one of the opening poems, begins a theme that continues throughout the book: the impact of the founding poets who are no longer with us and our commitment to them. This theme in itself births a new appreciation for writers now gone in the most beautiful way. The whole book is an amazing tribute to them all. To read a poem which debates over the soul of poetry is an experience unlike any other. Subjects which many fear to touch are addressed here.
The candour of 'Shards', something seen in most of the poems in the collection, is something that countless writers lack and many others fail to master. William writes the truth, no matter how painful it may be. As we read of poetry and nature and life, we are interrupted by honest stories of a past life and a lost one, stories which instantly draw sympathy and understanding through their presentation. William opens the window to his soul and beckons you to gaze within.
So to close, I must say I cannot express my love for this collection. As a writer, I was inspired. As a human, I was moved. As a reader, I was captivated. The immensity of the work cannot be fully expressed in this short review, but I must let you know of its pure brilliance and the weight each individual poem carries. 'Shards' is truly fantastic and is a read that I will find myself returning to for years to come.
"Thank you, Emily. Thank you, Sylvia.
Thank you E.E. Thank you James.
Thank you, Billy."
Thank you, William.
If you would like to check out William's work, visit his page here:
pursuingthecerberus.deviantart…Or you can purchase the book (which I highly recommend) here:
www.lulu.com/shop/william-bark…