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Empire of the Mind
Roger DeBlanck’s third book, Empire of the Mind, is an extraordinary collection of his selected poems. Written over the span of nearly twenty-five years, these poems evoke the same type of conscientious awareness, vivid imagery, and emotional impact that are trademarks of his fiction.
In the Preface to this book, DeBlanck expresses his reverence for literature and how he credits poetry with making him a writer. Whether addressing tragedies throughout history or meditating on the revitalizing forces of nature, the common thread in each poem is a universal vision of humanity and what it means to be alive and to find peace and sanctity in life. Whether dazzling with joy or reflective with sorrow, the poems yearn for an ideal world.
With grace and intelligence, DeBlanck’s work can feel hypnotic with its richness and resonance of language, the compactness and precision of his phrasings, and the dreamlike hopefulness for what is beyond this world. Furthermore, he is also a very grateful poet. A number of his pieces are composed in homage to literary figures he admires: Albert Camus, Jorge Luis Borges, and Toni Morrison.
The aim of the poems is often compassion, forgiveness, and understanding. Even when the subject matter is haunting in its visceral descriptions, we feel empowered with the need to remember the past as an ongoing force for change. What we ultimately have in Empire of the Mind is an indelible, heartfelt collection of poems from a writer exhibiting the range of his imaginative powers.
In the Preface to this book, DeBlanck expresses his reverence for literature and how he credits poetry with making him a writer. Whether addressing tragedies throughout history or meditating on the revitalizing forces of nature, the common thread in each poem is a universal vision of humanity and what it means to be alive and to find peace and sanctity in life. Whether dazzling with joy or reflective with sorrow, the poems yearn for an ideal world.
With grace and intelligence, DeBlanck’s work can feel hypnotic with its richness and resonance of language, the compactness and precision of his phrasings, and the dreamlike hopefulness for what is beyond this world. Furthermore, he is also a very grateful poet. A number of his pieces are composed in homage to literary figures he admires: Albert Camus, Jorge Luis Borges, and Toni Morrison.
The aim of the poems is often compassion, forgiveness, and understanding. Even when the subject matter is haunting in its visceral descriptions, we feel empowered with the need to remember the past as an ongoing force for change. What we ultimately have in Empire of the Mind is an indelible, heartfelt collection of poems from a writer exhibiting the range of his imaginative powers.
120 pages, Paperback
First published November 11, 2014
About the author
Roger DeBlanck
6 books117 followersRoger DeBlanck is the author of six books: four novels, a volume of poetry, and a collection of essays, poems, and meditations. He has a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and a master’s degree in Information Science from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He works as a librarian in a large public library in Las Vegas, Nevada. He and his wife Alley live in Henderson, Nevada. They have a beloved dog named Sophy. Visit www.rogerdeblanck.com for the latest news and updates. You can connect with Roger here on Goodreads and also on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. All links are available on his website.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 29, 2014
As a fan of Roger DeBlanck's writing, I was excited when I found out he was releasing a poetry collection. Roger gives us a window into the soul of life with this collection. From the effects of war on the human spirit to the effects of the environment on the animal world, Roger writes in such a vivid way that it causes one to pause and to ponder. Each poem has its place in the greater whole and a poem can be enjoyed lying in bed before sleep or standing in line to buy lunch.
Empire of the Mind will give you greater insight into the author's inspiration for his novels. When I finished reading this collection, I was left with one word, "hope."
Empire of the Mind will give you greater insight into the author's inspiration for his novels. When I finished reading this collection, I was left with one word, "hope."
August 8, 2016
"I Read, Pause, Think, and Write/Type"
The poem book title threw me a curved ball, "Empire of the Mind". In using Google search engine, there were at least 3 other authors using this title part to begin their books. . Mr. DeBlanck's book title did not come up even after looking thru 5 pages. After this, I simply typed his last name to the title and Google immediately finds the title and author. For this my review was a 4 star rating provided by Amazon. Wish there was a 4.5 rating of which it should be.
His poems fell into my imaginary shaded backyard with mister cooling the air surrounding me (my Kindle Fire). Each poem I read let me think of the gone by years of history, Texas gardening, to the simplicity of sitting somewhere and view what the earth does for humans. On several of his poems I have highlighted for future reference. My rating on his poems, I give a 5 star rating.
An afterthought, I need to purchase "Empire of the Mind" by Roger DeBlanck's paperback to have paper bookmarts on certain pages, just like the late author Margaret Lyne Moser who wrote : The biography of a particular place Bee County from the days of the Spanish missions through September 11, 2001 .
The poem book title threw me a curved ball, "Empire of the Mind". In using Google search engine, there were at least 3 other authors using this title part to begin their books. . Mr. DeBlanck's book title did not come up even after looking thru 5 pages. After this, I simply typed his last name to the title and Google immediately finds the title and author. For this my review was a 4 star rating provided by Amazon. Wish there was a 4.5 rating of which it should be.
His poems fell into my imaginary shaded backyard with mister cooling the air surrounding me (my Kindle Fire). Each poem I read let me think of the gone by years of history, Texas gardening, to the simplicity of sitting somewhere and view what the earth does for humans. On several of his poems I have highlighted for future reference. My rating on his poems, I give a 5 star rating.
An afterthought, I need to purchase "Empire of the Mind" by Roger DeBlanck's paperback to have paper bookmarts on certain pages, just like the late author Margaret Lyne Moser who wrote : The biography of a particular place Bee County from the days of the Spanish missions through September 11, 2001 .
December 9, 2016
Poetry is an amazing art where the poet has attained a contemplative level our souls yearn to know. Poetry envelops you. The inspired poems from Empire of the Mind offer a unique experience for the reader with this gifted art form. Just a word, a line, a stanza, or the entire poem is imagination unfurled. Seldom in one book of poetry will you find a collection of so many poems to love and tuck away in your memory. Empire of the Mind transcends many emotions. It may be peace or frustration, joy or sorrow, mortality or immortality, as well as simple or complicated while exploring the past or future. Loving poems, as I do, there are really too many favorites for me in Empire of the Mind. Earth Blood is already etched on my heart. I am fascinated with Blue Silk Photosynthesis while Strawberries, Stop, and The Hummingbird just amaze me. To me, Save the World is a prayer of hope. I don’t know where to end except from Stare ……. “waiting for me on the other side.” Take a break and enjoy the poems in Empire of the Mind.
April 1, 2015
I found the poems in Roger DeBlanck's book, real and realistic in their presentation of many different topics over many years. Roger's unique way of describing his viewpoints are refreshing and insightful.
Some poems are heavy with really thought-provoking subjects like...poverty living; death by inches, the first atom; what's in the air we breathe, and life in Gaza. Lighter more sweet poems leaving me smiling to rethink; rose petals that migrate into one's blood stream; rainfall as a glint of heaven, a morning full of tears, God, and much much more.
Author, Nancy Nelson
Blue.River.Apple.- an exploration of Alzheimer's through poetry.
Some poems are heavy with really thought-provoking subjects like...poverty living; death by inches, the first atom; what's in the air we breathe, and life in Gaza. Lighter more sweet poems leaving me smiling to rethink; rose petals that migrate into one's blood stream; rainfall as a glint of heaven, a morning full of tears, God, and much much more.
Author, Nancy Nelson
Blue.River.Apple.- an exploration of Alzheimer's through poetry.
December 9, 2016
These poems will inspire you and make you think about the effects of history and your place in the world. Some of the poems are about nature, others have a political undertone with a call to awareness and action, and others are wonderful verses to celebrate life. You will feel a sense of your soul's connection to the universe. The faith poems make you see the importance of how beliefs can unite us. Even if poetry is not your type of reading, try this book and experience the inspiration poems can offer.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews