Review of The Poems of Richard S. Harrison

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Marion Latchoumania-Quédou
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Review of The Poems of Richard S. Harrison

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[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Poems of Richard S. Harrison" by Richard Scott Harrison.]
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5 out of 5 stars
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The Poems of Richard S. Harrison is a collection of poems written by Richard Scott Harrison. In these poems, sometimes poignant, sometimes melancholic, sometimes light, the author addresses themes such as the state of the world, memories, nostalgia, humanity, and love.

These poems were short, yet intense. I loved every minute I spent devouring them. They're so simple, yet so profound; their rhythm is rich, as are their rhymes. I even found myself enjoying reading them aloud.
One of the most notable strengths of Harrison’s poetry is his ability to make the ordinary feel profound. A simple memory, a quiet street, or an overlooked object becomes a lens through which he explores larger themes like loss, identity, and resilience. His voice is authentic, never forcing drama where quiet poignancy suffices. Through his poems, the reader is invited to take the time to contemplate a world that is sometimes too fast-moving. Nuance and detail are at the heart of Richard S. Harrison's poems.

Despite the gentleness and undeniable lyricism that emanate from these poems, they offer deeper, more contemporary themes. The author addresses, among other things, their thoughts on ecology and the slowly dying planet Earth, on discrimination, the state of our society, and the spiral of time.
The writing is, of course, exemplary and full of lyricism. Particular attention was paid to proofreading and editing the work.

The only criticism I would make, which somewhat detracts from the reading experience, is the layout of the book. Indeed, since a collection of poems typically consists solely of poems, I believe it is crucial to focus on the layout and to effectively highlight them. For instance, placing only one poem per page rather than two on a single page, as is the case here, would enhance the reading experience. I also found certain “categories” confusing.

Overall, I rate The Poems of Richard S. Harrison 5 stars out of 5. The poems are poignant, melancholic, and sweet; at the same time, they offer genuine reflections on our current way of life and society. The collection offers us poems that are nostalgic, tender, simple, and yet complex. While I would have liked each poem to be more adequately highlighted (and perhaps enhanced with illustrations for some), I still think that this collection will delight all poetry lovers.

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The Poems of Richard S. Harrison
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