Quiet yet resonant, reflective yet deeply personal …
McKechnie captures life’s fleeting moments with painterly precision in this evocative collection of poems. “Great Blue Heron” observes a bird’s graceful landing. Winter’s cold mirrors internal stillness in “Frigid Beauty.” In “Monet’s Giverny,” the gardens that inspired the artist become a space for personal reflection: “standing on his Japanese bridge… I finally understood.” Each location—whether Petra, Santa Fe, or Ireland—becomes a point of connection with history and memory. The collection’s emotional heart beats in the quiet moments about family and childhood. In “Aren’t They Beautiful,” McKechnie recalls her father’s love for parakeets, holding a baby bird for the first time: “This was a huge gift for a small girl, / to hold for just a moment / one of his precious baby birds.” “Starlight” examines the evolving relationship with a grown child: “Back then / I was his North Star… he is a man now.” McKechnie’s background as a visual artist is evident. She carefully arranges colors, textures, and light and creates a deeply immersive experience. McKechnie doesn’t rely on complex structures or grand metaphors. Instead, she works on small details to evoke larger truths. The collection is best read slowly, letting each poem settle like a memory resurfacing. Readers who appreciate poetry that is quite yet deeply evocative will find much to love in the book.
Pub date December 11, 2024
FriesenPress
ISBN 978-1038320742
Price $29.99 (USD) Hardcover, $4.99 Kindle edition
