OnlineBookClub.org
4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
Poems About Things That Mattered Most: Faith, Family, Country by Bob Dowell was published in 2020. The sensational book is approximately 137 pages long and comprises forty-three enthralling poems. The poems undoubtedly inspire, inform, entertain, and above all enlighten the reader about what truly matters most in life. They span many years from when the author met his future wife to the present where he enjoys spending time with his great-grandchildren. The author’s profound love for God, family, and country stood out in every poem.
The poetic compositions address diverse issues, like love, celebrating the struggles and joys of parenthood, appreciating mothers, the greatness of America, faith, and even the ravaging Coronavirus Pandemic. The author references the significant contributions of the Puritans as part of the founding fathers of America while abundantly demonstrating this unwavering belief in God in his own life. This was quite evident when Bob closed the concluding poem with a line appreciating the God-given longevity to enjoy these unique blessings. Consequently, his faith in God formed a sturdy foundation upon which everything else was built.
The poems made me smile, laugh, reminisce, and cogitate. I could not keep myself from chuckling when I read how Stan and Dwight, the author’s sons, were playing a ‘dangerous game with the fridge’. Dwight could not get his brother out, as he was too short to reach the door handle. Initially, his father did not understand the situation when he was informed Stan was inside the fridge. As a result, he instructed Dwight to tell his brother to get out before it finally dawned on him that Stan needed help. Other poems led me on a path of self-examination, while others still taught me to appreciate the seemingly minute things in life.
What I liked most was the thought-provocative nature of the poems. They made me think about things I value the most in my life. The poems were simple and impressive. Simple as they communicated ordinary subjects in a straightforward manner and impressive as the author employed many literary devices and thus making every poem exceptional. The metaphors used were mind-blowing. For example, the author compares guidance and God’s will to a dance where one partner takes the lead with gentle cues while the other follows. Further, the allusion to several biblical and monumental events and figures in history was sufficient evidence of the author’s remarkable devotion to the subjects.
I rate the book 4 out of 4 stars as there is nothing I disliked about it, and the editing was professionally done. I recommend it to all lovers of poetry. The poems did not contain any attempt at proselytization, and accordingly, nonbelievers will enjoy poring over them. In the fullness of time, we will all be forced to answer the question about the things that matter most in our lives. In the meantime, Poems About Things That Mattered Most will cause you to look around and appreciate the people and little things around you. You will be led down the memory lane to retrieve those memories that give the present meaning. You may be inspired to compose poems about them as well.
******
Poems About Things That Mattered Most
View: on Bookshelves
