Spilling Words is a bigger collection than typical for poetry, so provides a great amount of content for the money. It’s divided into a number of sections: Poems for Mothers, Poems for Fathers, Poems for Family, Poems on Childhood, Words to Live By, and Forever in our Hearts.
Each section has a nice line drawing to break it up. The layout works well all round, with small illustrations at the bottom of poems.
This collection follows the format the poet seems to favour, that of a tight and regular rhyme scheme. Some examples of which I’ve shared below:
“You’re glowing!” Said they.
“Glowing like what!? Like the sun?”
“I don’t feel it,” Said I.
“But you have the proud face, dear,
of a soon to-be-mum.”
The stanzas are simple and heartfelt, and easy to understand and relate to. Yet, there are deeper topics within the simple words that are relevant in today’s world.
This then leads me to conclude:
Equal rights for men and women
in the workplace simply aren’t yet imbued.
And the workplace in itself
is, on the whole, not construed.
In such a way as to help women
with young children — it does not include.
The Dad section is very sweet – and it is nice to see fathers included in poetry, just as they should be in parenting.
He waits patiently for his turn.
To look after his love,
his heart, his bairn.
He fell to Earth too soon.
But his child is his guiding sun and moon.
There’s also some humour in here, an amusing look at how our world really is.
“Ok, son,” says Dad.
“What are the rules of this game?
And how the hell do you
use this dam controller once again?”
I would say this collection is particularly good as a gift, perhaps for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or for birthdays. I think it’s something that could be enjoyed by a wide range of recipients, as it’s very wholesome and touching throughout.
My child, if you want to be beautiful,
it is not just how you look,
your face, your lips, your skin.
It is far deeper than your outer looks
It all starts from within.
Don’t rely on your looks,
it will only get you so far.
You need to show people
who it is, you really are
In conclusion, if you are seeking a very sweet collection of poetry about family and childhood, this is a perfect place to start. I award 5 stars.
