Review of The Beacon a collection of poems by Emerson Custis

[Rashad Deniro Price]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Beacon a collection of poems by Emerson Custis" by Emerson Custis.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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Life is like the vast sea. Without any guidance, we might lose our way. Is it possible we can live long enough to make all the mistakes and learn the lessons ourselves? I do not think so. The Beacon: A Collection of Poems by Emerson Custis is one of the books I have read recently that impacted me in remarkable ways: it was thought-provoking and insightful. I will be discussing my favorite poems in the following paragraphs.

"The Beacon" is the last poem in the collection but gives a solid insight into the whole body of work. Several figurative devices were deployed to give the poem all-round depth and context and to help readers fully explore the core messages being delivered. Take, for instance, the comparison of life's journey to a ship at sea and the imagery from such expressions as "the seas of life" and "in and out of the shadows." The poem also earns a high readability rating: it is executed with simple, relatable constructs and enhanced with relevant poetic devices.

"Love Me Not My Brother" is a thought-provoking piece. The message is well-developed with vivid imagery, repetition and contrast. Knowledge is love and brings everything good, like unity, respect for others' identity and progress. Ignorance is hate and brings everything bad, like pride, fear, backwardness and obsession with trivial things like racial discrimination. The poem acknowledges love as the source of all existence. We are encouraged to uphold our shared humanity.

"Christian Awareness" notes the importance of consciousness, pointing out its unlimited possibilities, which can lead us to "worlds that do not end." The poem invites readers to tap the power they have within them, for within them they can have the answers to their questions and record incredible breakthroughs. It also points out the danger of negligence to this innate powerhouse: we can become empty and be consumed by fear and ignorance. I am impressed by the metaphor, imagery and symbolism used to give this poem a quality finish.

However, I have some suggestions that I think would make this work even better. Some lines need to be fine-tuned for grammatical correctness and clarity, like this one: "Love consist of thoughs at play." Some poems, like "Faith (Security)" and "The Love We Show," are written in uppercase throughout, which I didn't quite like because they made reading a bit inconvenient. I think this should be revised to aid readability. I was surprised when I ran into "Beacon: Part II." I think something like "Beacon: Part I" should be included at the beginning of the book so readers will be properly informed about the division. For these reasons, I am removing a star, so this book earns 4 out of 5 stars.

Overall, this was a great read. I gained a lot of insights from the topics explored in this collection and really appreciated the expertise with which the author handled them. I recommend The Beacon: A Collection of Poems to lovers of poetry and to anyone looking for a literary piece that will provide them with inspiration and direction.

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The Beacon a collection of poems by Emerson Custis
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[Shaniz Tobiaz]

'Love me not my brother' sounds very funny for a poem title i have to read it to find out what's its all about.

[Pearl Flourish]

Poetry that sparks reflection and offers guidance is always worth reading. The mix of deep themes, vivid imagery, and meaningful messages makes it sound like a collection that stays with you long after you’ve finished it.

[George Bastem]

The mix of deep themes, vivid imagery, and poetic craftsmanship sounds truly impactful. Even with a few rough edges, it seems like a thought-provoking and inspiring read.