Highway of Dreams by Maureen Anne Browne

Copyright 2023, Cyberwit

Reviewed by LB Sedlacek

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Cyberwit.net (January 13, 2023)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 111 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9395224436
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-9395224437
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 5.3 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.28 x 8.5 inches

“Highway of Dreams” is a sweet but poignant invitation into the author’s world.  It is a delightful yet deep collection of poems.  The images wash over you as you read them making them a pleasure to enjoy as well as prompting some serious reflection and thoughts.

The book offers many natural or nature poems.  Browne is observant and able to convey this with skill in her poetry.

There are poems that take a deeper dive into serious subjects as well.  Poems are written mostly in free verse and prose.

From the poem “BLUE HYDRANGEA”

“Sun glazing the hedges,
honeysuckle and fuchsia
brightening the green bushes,
Albertine roses, and a riot
of tiny, red-tinged leaves,
adorning the plain wall,”

Browne easily brings her visuals to life.  One can simply imagine the reality from each line and verse.

These poems also take a turn into historical events, perhaps some that the author or author’s family members experienced in real life.  She places each poem well as one poem seems to compliment the other in the book.

This poetry book is almost like a travel log of the author’s life or parts of it.  The poems are focused and well written.

From the poem “A FISH OUT OF WATER”

“At the creation of your species
you were given the habitat
you needed – a sea to live in.”

Browne has a unique ability to become the subjects she’s writing about easily taking on the role of narrator, the historical figure or whomever, or whatever in each poem.  This book is almost like a roller coaster ride with unexpected turns, and twists with each turn of the page.  That’s what makes poetry exciting.  And, that’s also what makes a poetry book such as this something worth reading more than once.

~LB Sedlacek is the author of “The Blue Eyed Side,” “Night Swim,” “The Poet Next Door,” “Simultaneous Submissions,” “Ghost Policy,” “Words and Bones,” “Swim,” “Four Thieves of Vinegar & Other Short Stories,” and “The Jackalope Committee & Other Short Stories.”