Golden Memories

Valerie J. Kuczek
Publish America (2005)
ISBN 1234567890
Reviewed by Cherie Burbach for Reader Views (4/06)

“Golden Memories” is a book of poetry depicting a wife’s love for her husband of 35 years. This is obviously a very personal book. The dedication and description indicate the author’s husband is experiencing medical problems and the author spends her time between writing and the hospital. I imagine this was a cathartic book for Valerie Kuczek to write. The cover image of what I assume is Ms. Kuczek and her husband, clearly shows her love as she gazes up at him during a stroll on the beach.

Poetry in general is often personal and typically pulls from the deepest pain and the highest highs. But even when an author writes about something unique to them, it has to have universal qualities that can pull readers in so they can relate. This is where “Golden Memories” is lacking, as many of the poems are so specific it will be difficult for most readers to engage in the emotions trying to be conveyed. “Golden Memories” is entirely written with rhyming prose, but often the verses are metered oddly and unevenly in order to force the rhyme. Readers who are strangers to this poet likely won’t understand much of this work, as the imagery is not universal and vivid enough.

Despite the description of the book as a dedication to a life-long love affair, the majority of the work is comprised of accepting inevitable loss, and coming to terms with the injustice of a life ending too soon. The poem “Dark & Lonely Nights” early on in the book is a confusing blend of melancholy:

“You were my world, my one and only guiding light Now all that I see are dark and lonely nights.”

It is obvious with the effort set forth in this work the author loves her husband deeply. “I’m Not Through Loving Him Yet” is a sweet prayer for a loved one to stay alive a while longer.

Many of the poems in the book indicate the painful process of trying to accept the fate of a loved one leaving us – especially when their leaving is drawn out and certain.

“My Wish” comes closest to steady metering, giving the words much more impact:

“The days by number are so few no one left but me and you Yet my heart is light and free Knowing you are here with me.”

The poem “You Are My Melody,” clearly epitomizes the sentiment of the entire work:

“No one can feel the pain I do it simply comes from needing you, a pain that rests so deep inside, makes it very hard to hide”

There is much talk of tears, memories, dreams, and heaven throughout the work. Given this, the last poem of the work, entitled “Just A Little Naughty” is an odd way to end “Golden Memories.” It is obvious this poet is writing for her own sake, and while this book didn’t resonate with me, I applaud that. Perhaps Ms. Kuczek herself is trying to address that with “The Poetic Side of Me”:

“I may be clumsy with a verse, a dreamer I may be The thoughts embedded within my mind only a poet can see.”

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