Review of Longing & Be-Longing: Poems, Prayers & Reflections
Posted: 19 Aug 2021, 06:51
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Longing & Be-Longing: Poems, Prayers & Reflections" by Paulette Rochelle-Levy.]
Amid these tumultuous times, Paulette Rochelle-Levy has an important message to share in her book, Longing & Be-Longing: Poems, Prayers & Reflections. As a holistic psychotherapist, she understands the value of nourishing the mind, body, and soul. Even though she became an orphan at the tender age of thirteen, she learned to be grateful for every blessing that was bestowed upon her. She urges readers to embrace a spirit of loving-kindness and thankfulness. Having lived a full life, she had the opportunity to meet renowned teachers like Albert Einstein and Ram Dass. Now she has penned her experiences in this unique collection of poems, social commentary, and Jewish prayers. Ms. Rochelle-Levy certainly made good use of her extra time at home during the lockdowns!
The book’s rosy cover image features a painting of a grassy hill overlooking the seaside. A lone garden chair beckons for someone to sit and enjoy the view. The title is written in a beautiful cursive font. Because of the pink tint of the cover illustration and the floral designs placed between the section breaks, there is a distinctively feminine essence flowing throughout the book. The publication contains eleven chapters. Each chapter begins with an unusual quote to consider. The poems have a nice rhythm, but most of the verses do not rhyme. Some words are capitalized for emphasis. The main themes of the book include spirituality, Jewish mysticism, meditation, nature, and healing through dance. There is no violent or lewd content in the text.
There were several things I enjoyed about this collection. I especially liked the fact that the book was a combination of different genres, including the elements of poetry, social commentary, memoir-style discussions, and suggested techniques for healing from emotional pain. The author also added instructions and exercises for meditation to calm oneself and connect with God. Many of her reflections focused on the effects that the pandemic has had on people. I appreciated how the author described her passion for dance and her rediscovery of her Jewish faith. As such, many Hebrew phrases appeared in the text, and I learned more about Jewish traditions.
I didn’t dislike anything about this organized and well-written book. Following the author’s suggestion in the introduction, I closed my eyes and randomly selected a poem to read. The one my finger landed on was entitled “Yes, from Kathleen.” This poem urged readers to cherish their loved ones while they are alive. This struck a chord with me because I am still coping with a recent death in my family. Some might say it was the message I needed at the time. As I mentioned before, there were also many memorable quotes, such as “Sometimes it’s the worst nightmare that wakes us up.” Among the many lessons taught, there was one that really stood out to me. Ms. Rochelle-Levy encouraged readers to “break the addiction of complaining” because it “squeezes the energy out of you.”
In conclusion, I rate Longing & Be-Longing: Poems, Prayers & Reflections by Paulette Rochelle-Levy four out of four stars. The book’s formatting is impeccable, and I only found a few typos. So, I am certain that it is professionally edited. This publication is best suited for people who yearn for a spiritual connection with the world. Dancers will delight in the vivid descriptions of the human body in motion. Animal lovers can also relate to the content because the author mentions her faithful pets several times. Even though there are numerous religious references, non-religious people can also enjoy the writing.
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Longing & Be-Longing: Poems, Prayers & Reflections
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Amid these tumultuous times, Paulette Rochelle-Levy has an important message to share in her book, Longing & Be-Longing: Poems, Prayers & Reflections. As a holistic psychotherapist, she understands the value of nourishing the mind, body, and soul. Even though she became an orphan at the tender age of thirteen, she learned to be grateful for every blessing that was bestowed upon her. She urges readers to embrace a spirit of loving-kindness and thankfulness. Having lived a full life, she had the opportunity to meet renowned teachers like Albert Einstein and Ram Dass. Now she has penned her experiences in this unique collection of poems, social commentary, and Jewish prayers. Ms. Rochelle-Levy certainly made good use of her extra time at home during the lockdowns!
The book’s rosy cover image features a painting of a grassy hill overlooking the seaside. A lone garden chair beckons for someone to sit and enjoy the view. The title is written in a beautiful cursive font. Because of the pink tint of the cover illustration and the floral designs placed between the section breaks, there is a distinctively feminine essence flowing throughout the book. The publication contains eleven chapters. Each chapter begins with an unusual quote to consider. The poems have a nice rhythm, but most of the verses do not rhyme. Some words are capitalized for emphasis. The main themes of the book include spirituality, Jewish mysticism, meditation, nature, and healing through dance. There is no violent or lewd content in the text.
There were several things I enjoyed about this collection. I especially liked the fact that the book was a combination of different genres, including the elements of poetry, social commentary, memoir-style discussions, and suggested techniques for healing from emotional pain. The author also added instructions and exercises for meditation to calm oneself and connect with God. Many of her reflections focused on the effects that the pandemic has had on people. I appreciated how the author described her passion for dance and her rediscovery of her Jewish faith. As such, many Hebrew phrases appeared in the text, and I learned more about Jewish traditions.
I didn’t dislike anything about this organized and well-written book. Following the author’s suggestion in the introduction, I closed my eyes and randomly selected a poem to read. The one my finger landed on was entitled “Yes, from Kathleen.” This poem urged readers to cherish their loved ones while they are alive. This struck a chord with me because I am still coping with a recent death in my family. Some might say it was the message I needed at the time. As I mentioned before, there were also many memorable quotes, such as “Sometimes it’s the worst nightmare that wakes us up.” Among the many lessons taught, there was one that really stood out to me. Ms. Rochelle-Levy encouraged readers to “break the addiction of complaining” because it “squeezes the energy out of you.”
In conclusion, I rate Longing & Be-Longing: Poems, Prayers & Reflections by Paulette Rochelle-Levy four out of four stars. The book’s formatting is impeccable, and I only found a few typos. So, I am certain that it is professionally edited. This publication is best suited for people who yearn for a spiritual connection with the world. Dancers will delight in the vivid descriptions of the human body in motion. Animal lovers can also relate to the content because the author mentions her faithful pets several times. Even though there are numerous religious references, non-religious people can also enjoy the writing.
******
Longing & Be-Longing: Poems, Prayers & Reflections
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
