Dream Tree By David Watts
Short poems or haikus are not for everyone, but there’s a lot to be said to be able to contain your poems in such a brief form. First of all, it takes skill to write poems short in length (but not in what they say). Plus, this is also formal poetry because it’s written in a form.
“Dream Tree”
Haiku
By David Watts
50 pages
ISBN: 978-81-8253-714-9
Cyberwit
www.cyberwit.net
Copyright 2021
Review by LB Sedlacek
Short poems or haikus are not for everyone, but there’s a lot to be said to be able to contain your poems in such a brief form. First of all, it takes skill to write poems short in length (but not in what they say). Plus, this is also formal poetry because it’s written in a form.
From Page 23:
“morning fog
the shape
of fog”
There are so many possibilities to each poems and with no pun intended a bit like being surprised by what you might find in a fortune cookie or in a fortune telling novelty machine or even a greeting card. Remember when postcards used to have brief descriptions on the back as to what was on the front of the card? Those made for some visual messages.
David Watts’ haikus are indeed image filled, pictures unnecessary. He has the gift of turning his words in a direction you might not be expecting or even if you are the language accents any pre-conceived notions from the reader.
From Page 24:
“sun slips under a cloud
think I’ll borrow an apple
off my neighbor’s tree”
Watts has earned many accolades for his haiku poems and is well-published. With these carefully crafted lines, it’s easy to see why.
He isn’t afraid to touch on any subject admirably succeeding in capturing life with a crisp creative style. These poems will maintain your attention as his voice as seen in the haikus never falters.
You may develop a deeper understanding of this fine type of poetry or at least have a satisfying read possibly looking forward to more haiku from Watts. His skills with using such a few words is delightful.
From Page 43:
“warm snickerdoodles
another kid comes down
from the tree”
Now what a refreshing way to write about cookies. Watts’ writing is simply like that, like tasting the first or second cookie from a fresh batch right out of the oven. His words bring seriousness, joy, all types of emotion.
Once you read this book of haiku, you’ll very likely want to read more. Well done!
~LB Sedlacek is the author of the poetry collections “I’m No ROBOT,” “Words and Bones,” “Simultaneous Submissions,” “The Adventures of Stick People on Cars,” and “The Poet Next Door.” Her first short story collection came out last year entitled “Four Thieves of Vinegar & Other Short Stories.” Her mystery novel “The Glass River” was nominated for the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award. She writes poetry reviews for “The Poetry Market Ezine” www.thepoetrymarket.com You can find out more about her at www.lbsedlacek.com