Official Review: I Water Dead Plants by Heather J. Kirk

Manang Muyang · Post by **Manang Muyang** » 19 Feb 2020, 09:35

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "I Water Dead Plants" by Heather J. Kirk.]

3 out of 4 stars

Share This Review

Heather J. Kirk, both an author and an artist, is as tough as her namesake shrub. She has been through highs and lows in her life, just like the rest of us, and her poetry portrays the truths she has harvested over time. I Water Dead Plants: A Book of Poetry and Belief will delight the avid horticulturist, the struggling gardener, and all who love plants. The book has a strong Christian theme throughout, but the principles shared are universal and should offend no one. Kirk exhorts everyone to never give up hope, even when surrounded by seemingly dead plants such as failed dreams, broken relationships, poor health, and lost wealth. With God’s overflowing mercy and grace, those plants might yet live again.

The poems in the book, 49 in all, revolved around nature and its beauty, both in season and out of season. Some of the poems focused on peculiar plants, and I relished getting to know those species. I certainly grew in my botanical knowledge. I only wished there were accompanying pictures, so readers could better appreciate the silk floss tree, the Mandevilla, and the Huernia and Opuntia cacti. Several pieces depicted the author’s gardening woes, with many of her plants killed because of her failure to properly care for them. (There were surprising resurrections, mind you!) The walls of her home displayed perfect specimens, though, as she captured the plants in all their grandeur through her camera and artist’s pen. Some animals also figured in the verses, and I particularly enjoyed the villainous fungus gnats. Mountains, forests, and monsoons added drama to the collection. Skillfully grafted into the poetry were relatable tales of broken hearts, clumsy accidents, and busy days. Most of the poems bore fruitful lessons of courage, resilience, faith, and purpose.

Kirk included an appendix of Bible verses that inspired particular pieces; I was likewise blessed by those holy words. Humor was lavishly sprinkled throughout the book. Only an artist can make a tumbleweed fascinating. I will always remember this immortal line from the poem "Talking to My Plants": “Sorry, dude.” (You have to read the book to share the fun.) I also joined the author as she exercised her vocal cords while serenading her greenery with classics like “Argentina” from Evita and “The 12 Days of Christmas.”

The poems made for an interesting blend of pieces. There was one (“Doorstep”) with just twenty syllables, which the author called an inverse haiku. While many of the poems were in free verse, a few had a rhyming pattern. Some pieces were short stories written in verse form, a unique rendition. Most of the short stories are memorable; the titles alone (“Taller than Impossible,” “Blind,” “Gardening at Night,” and “Phoenix Rising Fungus Gnats”) promise lots of pun time. Reading this book was a wonderful and refreshing experience.

I would have wanted to give this bouquet of poems the highest rating but for the thorny formatting and grammar issues. The grammar flaws are mostly slight misspellings like “then” for “than” and “principals” for “principles.” These need to be weeded out, along with the spacing (usually involving orphan and widow lines) and indentation errors. The Bible verses would also be better planted alongside the related poems. A few of the biblical citations are inaccurate, too, so a quick pruning may be in order. The book reaps 3 out of 4 stars. The author’s positivity is invigorating. I am now looking at the dead plants in my life’s garden, and I am considering watering them.

******
I Water Dead Plants
View: on Bookshelves

MsH2k · Post by **MsH2k** » 20 Feb 2020, 01:27

I loved your last paragraph!

This sounds Ike a wonderful book. Thanks for a great review!

Manang Muyang · Post by **Manang Muyang** » 20 Feb 2020, 02:02

MsH2k wrote: ↑20 Feb 2020, 01:27 I loved your last paragraph! This sounds Ike a wonderful book. Thanks for a great review!

Thanks for the loving! Now where is that watering can?

Letora · Post by **Letora** » 20 Feb 2020, 06:34

While the book seems interesting, religious motivations don't sit well with me. I think I might enjoy some of the poetry, but not all of it. thank you for your review!

Maria Esposito · Post by **Maria Esposito** » 20 Feb 2020, 09:03

Although I'm not into poetry books, I really loved your review. Especially the part where you talk about plants, it seems like you have as much knowledge about them as the author! Thank you for a beautifully written review.

Roger Glasgow · Post by **Julius_** » 20 Feb 2020, 10:09

I would like to read the poems. I'm a great fan of poetry. I'll take a look. Thanks for the review.

Amberlily · Post by **Amberlily** » 20 Feb 2020, 16:32

A shame that they didn't have pictures for the plants that were being talked about. Learning from words is easy in some subjects, but when learning about plants we should probably know what said plants look like! Seems like it could use some more editing, but it sounds promising.

AvidBibliophile · Post by **AvidBibliophile** » 20 Feb 2020, 20:39

Failed dreams, relationships, health, and wealth... I know the feeling too. And I’ve also been guilty of watering plants on their last leg, but there’s always that small chance of revitalized renewal! Go forth and prune what we must, hehe

Thank you for this lovely review!

Manang Muyang · Post by **Manang Muyang** » 23 Feb 2020, 06:05

Letora wrote: ↑20 Feb 2020, 06:34 While the book seems interesting, religious motivations don't sit well with me. I think I might enjoy some of the poetry, but not all of it. thank you for your review!

Thanks for visiting and sharing your sentiments.

Manang Muyang · Post by **Manang Muyang** » 23 Feb 2020, 15:28

espo wrote: ↑20 Feb 2020, 09:03 Although I'm not into poetry books, I really loved your review. Especially the part where you talk about plants, it seems like you have as much knowledge about them as the author! Thank you for a beautifully written review.

Thanks for the beautiful comments. But I certainly am no plant savant, LOL!

Manang Muyang · Post by **Manang Muyang** » 23 Feb 2020, 15:47

Julius_ wrote: ↑20 Feb 2020, 10:09 I would like to read the poems. I'm a great fan of poetry. I'll take a look. Thanks for the review.

I am sure you will enjoy much
Heather's lines about Mother Nature
Her puns are a welcome touch
Her faith another inspiring feature.

Manang Muyang · Post by **Manang Muyang** » 24 Feb 2020, 03:15

AvidBibliophile wrote: ↑20 Feb 2020, 20:39 Failed dreams, relationships, health, and wealth... I know the feeling too. And I’ve also been guilty of watering plants on their last leg, but there’s always that small chance of revitalized renewal! Go forth and prune what we must, hehe Thank you for this lovely review!

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Doc! Keep healing those dying plants.

Manang Muyang · Post by **Manang Muyang** » 24 Feb 2020, 04:00

Amberlily wrote: ↑20 Feb 2020, 16:32 A shame that they didn't have pictures for the plants that were being talked about. Learning from words is easy in some subjects, but when learning about plants we should probably know what said plants look like! Seems like it could use some more editing, but it sounds promising.

Are you a fan of your namesake R&B singer? The amber lily would perhaps be the Lilium bulbiferum.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Yes, pictures would have been marvelous!

Ellylion · Post by **Ellylion** » 24 Feb 2020, 05:53

Wow! I love poetry so much and these poems must be something outstanding! The metaphors the author uses are so beautiful.

I would definitely love to read this book, thank you so much for the amazing review!

Faithmwangi · Post by **Faithmwangi** » 24 Feb 2020, 23:44

This read sounds intriguing particularly the lessons it offers. However, I am not inclined to read it and I will be skipping it. Thanks for the review.