The Silence Before Dawn

Henry Martin
Lulu Press (2006)
ISBN 9781411686809
Reviewed by Abbie G. Yandle for Reader Views (07/06)

The darkness of the mind can be a scary and uncomfortable place. The author illuminates some of the dark corners of thought in this collection of free verse poems. Many of the poems needed a few readings to understand.  Others were clear and beautiful gems of thought. This glimpse into the author’s mind reflects the confusion, fragmentation, and isolation of life itself during those dark times before dawn.

It was essential that I read this book several times. My own mental, emotional, and physical states colored my understanding of entire sections of the book. Initially, I found it to be dark and depressing. Sometimes life is like that. Now I see the glimpses of dawn breaking, and feel the struggle to keep going. It is the poetry of the shadow side of life.

For me poetry is an art form, using words to both describe and evoke emotions. Henry Martin has reflected my own emotions back to me in his work.  I know some of the dark places these poems describe. The short verse called “Light” was a welcome respite from the gloom. I am curious about what Henry sees and feels once the sun comes up.

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