REVIEWS
Munmun Rudra
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You are the Poem by Jill Sharon Kimmelman
Poetess and critic, USA, Jill Sharon Kimmelman's poesies always celebrate life… earthly, mundane, home life imbued in ethereal joy and happiness, sorrows and expectations. She was born amidst the verdant beauty of nature surrounded by a wide stretched beautiful dairy cattle farm in Pemberton, New Jersey. She went to Moorestown High School. She studied American Studies at Douglass College and Rutgers University. Besides these, she studied Hotel and restaurant management at Widener University. Her perfectly designed desserts are not only mouth-watering but also aesthetic in the ancient hand-painted gold laces plates. Now living in Wilmington, Delaware her poetic journey takes her away from the boundary of her own country as well as the continent. But apart from poetry, her other passion is cooking deliciously designed dishes and taking photographs. At the age of 23, she started her own catering company. It is noteworthy to mention that she played all the keys perfectly in between her two passions - Pottery and Cooking. That's why the aroma of delectable dishes permeates in her poetry. Cooking from the heart... “Kiwis beckon blackberries shimmer a golden-tipped glistening meringue treat” Her mesmerizing voice imbues life in her poetry along with others. She was nominated for Pushcart Prize. Her contribution in the realm of poetry is not limited to her own country but beyond it. She wrote in the anthology of poems Bridge, which bears the marks of the poets of East and West published from India. Today I love to dive into the deep of her fathomless thought web and celebrate the multifaced meanings of life along with her debut anthology of poems "You Are the Poem" The parentheses attached with the title, “may we continue to learn and embrace the contents of each other’s hearts” exemplifies the amiable nature of the poetess. The book opens with a heart-rendering poem by Tim Little, husband and companion of Jill's poetic journey. You Knew For Jill with all my love. “Who knew I would ever be loved, find a perfect woman who would become my wife” This poem celebrates the mutual love and adoration of the couple who are bounded with the chord of poetry. You are the poem, by Jill, crosses its excellency in profoundness and lingering pathos “You Are the Poem I will wait for you You are the poem that fills my heart this morning I sip my coffee” In Fields of Friendship “Amid my winter-white Landscape canvas Our friendship has always been a field of blazing scarlet poppies A song of cheer to celebrate a whisper of warmth to embrace a single star in a vast black sky shining bright enough to return me home.” I become overwhelmed with such beautiful vibrancy of poetic composition where nature speaks in harmony with human emotion. Your Hands Again I love to focus on this poem “I feel them Your hands everywhere as if there were dozens, not just two ....” When I read the poem I feel the 'feathery fingertips' caressing my senses. Her pens are so nimble in the chords of human emotions that they easily get sipped in blood and carried to the nerves. Jill celebrates variegated themes in her poetry. Every poem carries a distinct mark. "Forever Sisters" and "Sisters Linked" are sweet poems on relationships. The book is a celebration of friendship, sisterhood, love, season. The words have the magical healing power of every scar as if they are moulded in kindness and sympathy. The language is eloquent and words glide like cascade fall. Even such abstract ideas like "Clarity" gets tangibility in her ink. "Until We Meet Again" is a romantic poem. Jill's poem again carries the aroma...aroma of delicious dishes. This recurrent theme and allusion to delectable dishes make her poems more laudable. They strike the perfect keys of our life She is also a social thinker. Her "double shift" expresses her concern for the doctors and nurses who fought for the lives of others in the pandemic situation, risking their own life. Sleep This night I slept beautifully, deep, oblivious awakened filled with gratitude No new poems penned my words will wait no tuning into late-night tennis tournaments no bargaining with God for elusive nights of longed-for sought-after slumber Let Peace In My idea has always been that if we could bring the mothers of various nations together, then there would be no more war quoting from E.M. Forster’s Howards End in this poem she sings the song of peace. I think it is the best poem on peace. “When your past is climbing fences just to pound upon your door at three a.m. forgive yourself, look ahead let peace in …” You are the Poem is a great celebration of poetic pleasure. The pages are smeared with the pulsating heartthrob of the poetic contemplations along with beautiful pictures. It is a marvellous journey with the poetess that emphasizes the consolidated integration… You Are the Poem. Contemplation of A Phoenix In Flight (for Annette) On wings of doves you begin in freedom you have found an extraordinary voice celebration of your journey’s path forward In tranquility your words returned
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5.0 out of 5 stars Honestly, The most beautiful and moving poems I have ever read!
Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2021
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I have to admit that I know very little about poetry. My teenage daughter asked for this book by name. She says the author, Jill Sharon Kimmelman, is very big on social media.
So, I ordered a copy and planned to give it to her when she came home from college. One evening I was bored So I picked up the book and started to flip through it. I was captivated by not only the beautiful poetry, but the extraordinary images as well. To illustrate the amazing poem "Dancing in the Kitchen", Ms. Kimmelman uses a family snapshot taken in 1939 of her Grandparents posing for their wedding portrait to add imagery to the beautiful story of a man and wife who celebrate their love for each other by dancing in the kitchen. Sixty years on and they still dance. My parents had that kind of love! The author could have been taking just to me. I wept as i recalled my youth and my parents. Don't think this is just a book of love poems. The author writes about everything. I delighted in " Cubby's Joy", the lighthearted story of a bearclaw bandit reformed! I was deeply moved by "Double Shift", a poem that honors nurses. Written before the pandemic Kimmelman gives us the opportunity to walk in their shoes and come to know their exhausting and heroic struggle through a very long day. Kimmelman wrote this moving tribute while she herself was hospitalized. She know what she is talking about! The fact is that I haven't read a poem since college. I read "You Are The Poem" cover to cover. I cried for the first time in decades. I laughed out loud in pure joy! I met many different characters but most shockingly, I met myself. I Pray you buy this amazing book and delight in its joy. I promise you that you will not be disappointed!
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5.0 out of 5 stars Exquisite! Poems to devour, to savor... to revisit time and time again!
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Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2021
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This lovely book of poetry has been a sweet gift to myself! I have read and reread many of these poems and have enjoyed them immensely! The author shares so much of herself within these pages. She is truly a 'wordsmith'! I have also found myself gazing at many of the images throughout the book, indulging myself with the beauty, wonderment, history, intrigue, or whimsy they portray.....kudos to the author for a beautiful first book!
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5.0 out of 5 stars Passionate Poetry
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Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2022
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I am not a reader of poetry and bought this book since it was recommended to me. I found the poems to be heartfelt and beautiful. Most all of them brought clear images into my mind and they conveyed strong messages of hope and love. (Even though most of them did not rhyme! ;0). I think most anyone would very much enjoy this book and I highly recommend it.
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It’s hard to express just how much I love this book! I was brought to tears a few times by the heartfelt words. I was blessed by this book. Jill is a very talented and gifted writer.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Work!
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Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2022
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I was ecstatic to receive this delightful book! It is a true gem to read! One of the best poetry books I have ever had the pleasure of enjoying!
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